NORTH ADAMS, Mass. –- The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' Athletic Department will host two events on Feb. 4 to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day – an initiative that dates back to 1987 to encourage the participation of girls and women in sports. Clinic registration is open until Jan. 29.  

 

The day will include a pickleball clinic and tournament for women from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Amsler Campus Center gymnasium and a sports clinic for girls in grades 3-8 from 12 to 4 at the gym.

 

The sports clinic for girls will offer instruction in softball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse and volleyball.

 

Advanced registration and payment are required online at athletics.mcla.edu. The pickleball clinic is currently full and taking a waiting list.  

 

Women will have the opportunity to learn from clinicians Barb LoPiccolo, who has been playing pickleball casually and competitively since 2005, and Pat Mele, a certified pickleball teaching professional and one of only four “Level II” teaching professionals in Massachusetts providing lessons at all skill levels.  

 

NGWSD is celebrated in all 50 states with community-based events, award ceremonies, and activities honoring the achievements and encouraging participation of girls and women in sports.  

 

NGWSD began in 1987 as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Hyman died of Marfan's Syndrome in 1986 while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan. Since that time, NGWSD has evolved into a day to acknowledge the past and recognize current sports achievements, the positive influence of sports participation, and the continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.  

 

NGWSD is jointly organized by the National Girls and Women in Sport Coalition. The Coalition combines the experience and resources of four premiere girls- and women-serving organizations in the United States: Girls Incorporated, the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, National Women's Law Center, and the Women's Sports Foundation.  

 

Collectively, these organizations have been in existence for more than 432 years and have a membership reach of 5.5 million girls and women.