Niagara College’s Athletics and Student Engagement department successfully hosted its second annual Welland Girls Sports Day on June 3.
Held in partnership with the City of Welland, Welland Girls Sports Day introduced girls aged six to 12 to a variety of sports from accomplished local female athletes and coaches and empowered participants to feel confident when getting involved in sports.
“It was incredible to witness the excitement and enthusiasm these girls had for sport when they were provided with a safe and comfortable environment,” said Michele O’Keefe, Director, Athletics and Student Engagement. “Everything designed for Girls Sports Day was created to be inclusive and to give the girls a sense of confidence. We had varsity coaches and athletes lead the different stations to showcase female leadership so that the girls could see what is possible in the world of sport for women.”
Participants learn about beach volleyball before trying it out.
New to Welland Girls Sports Day this year was the “Parent Hub” – an interactive, drop-in style station consisting of information booths from local sport organizations and leisure education activities organized by Niagara College Recreation Therapy students, both of which provided parents with resources for encouraging active recreation and sport.
“The Parent Hub was a fantastic addition to Welland Girls Sports Day,” said Erin Wilkie, Niagara College Recreation Therapy Professor and planning committee member. “Parents were able to engage in their own activity experience while learning about local sport opportunities and registration information that will benefit their kids as they build a life-long, healthy relationship with sport.”
According to Wilkie, the most prevalent barriers to leisure participation for families are knowledge of resources, finances, transportation, and companionship. With the addition of the Parent Hub, families were able to connect with community sport and recreation representatives who could help them identify potential solutions to some or all of these barriers.
Staff, faculty and students from multiple areas of the College contributed to the event to make the day a memorable one for the 170 participants in attendance.
Students from NC’s Recreation Therapy program helped facilitate conversation and activity at the Parent Hub, while NC Hairstyling students were on-hand to teach families the best way to style girls’ hair for sport.
NC Hairstyling students were on-hand to teach families the best way to style girls’ hair for sport.
“Thank you to all the Niagara College staff, faculty and students as well as our various community partners who helped ensure the event was a huge success,” said O’Keefe. “Together we created a welcoming and supportive environment for girls to grow their love of sport, which will stay with them forever.”
Looking ahead, NC Athletics and Student Engagement is eager to start planning next year’s event which will build on the momentum and enthusiasm felt this year. As one participant shared after the event, Welland Girls Sports Day was simply the “best day ever!”
Welland Girls Sports Day wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart, Canadian Women & Sport, Medavie Health Foundation, the Province of Ontario and Partridge Wealth Management.
Participants try adapted basketball at Girls Sports Day.
