Elon celebrates National Girls & Women in Sports Day with interactive clinic and workshop

Elon Athletics and Women of Elon partner to inspire the next generation of women athletes.

Elon University celebrated National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, with an inspiring event designed to empower young female athletes and engage the local community in discussions on the importance of gender equality in sports. Sponsored by Elon Athletics and Women of Elon, the event provided an opportunity for local girls, parents, and alumni to connect with Elon’s outstanding female student-athletes and faculty.

A young girl kicks a soccer ball surrounded by other people in a gymThe afternoon kicked off with a one-hour sports clinic, where girls aged 12 and under learned valuable skills from members of the Elon women’s teams. Student-athletes from softball, basketball, track & field, volleyball, and soccer led interactive sessions focused on fundamentals, teamwork, and confidence-building. Participants rotated through each sport, gaining hands-on experience while forming meaningful connections with collegiate athletes who serve as role models both on and off the field.

While the young athletes were immersed in the clinic, their parents attended a workshop led by Cara Lucia, associate professor of sport management. The session explored the impact of youth sports on personal development, strategies for advocating for young athletes,and best practices for parents looking to coach youth teams.

Following the clinic and workshop, all participants gathered in Schar Center to cheer on the Elon women’s basketball team as they faced Monmouth.

A woman kneels down with a young girl holding a ball and fist bumps her “We celebrate National Girls & Women in Sports Day to highlight the importance of empowering the next generation of female athletes, coaches, and leaders within sport to create a culture of support and inclusion in sports,” said Mary DeFriest, assistant athletics director of marketing and fan engagement. “When young girls see strong females in roles within sport, it sparks confidence and curiosity – encouraging them to dream bigger and have confidence in their abilities.”

The event also underscored the collaborative spirit of the greater university. Women of Elon, an initiative dedicated to engaging and connecting all women members of the Elon community including alumni, parents and students, that collaborated with athletics to organize the celebration. Kendra Haskins, senior director of alumni engagement, expressed the group’s enthusiasm for the day.

“Women of Elon were thrilled to partner with Elon Athletics to create this opportunity to inspire women of all ages: the girls with a connection to Elon’s incredible athletes and our volunteers and community members with the opportunity to impact the next generation.”

NGWSD at Elon University was more than just a celebration—it was a testament to the power of mentorship, representation and the impact of sports on shaping confident and resilient young women. As participants left Schar Center, many were already looking forward to next year’s event, eager to continue building a culture of empowerment and inclusion in athletics.

For more information about Women of Elon, visit https://www.elon.edu/u/advancement/women-of-elon.