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Date: 1/23/2024
AMHERST — National Girls and Women in Sports Day will be observed and celebrated on Saturday, Feb. 3 through a partnership with the Amherst College Department of Athletics, the town of Amherst and the Amherst Recreation Department.
This year’s event will take place at the Alumni Gym at 266 Pleasant St. and is designed to provide girls in grades 4-6 with the opportunity to play, explore and engage in various sports activities.
Jennifer Chuks-Crabill, associate athletic director at Amherst College said the day will be led by the school’s women’s sports teams.
“All of our female sports teams will be involved in the day,” she said.
Chuks-Crabill, a former athlete who is from Massachusetts, said she comes from a sports-oriented family and background and directed her education, work and college experience towards athletic administration.
The event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. will feature squash, basketball, softball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, field hockey, lacrosse, golf, cross country and track and field.
The girls will be divided into teams to give them the opportunity to try and learn about different sports. Parents and guardians, who will be required to remain at the event, will have the chance to learn about different sports opportunities and programs from on-site vendors and organizations.
“We will also have the colleges nutritionist here to talk to parents about healthy eating and healthy choices,” Chuks-Crabill said. “So, we’ll have some parent options while their children play.”
While there is not necessarily an optimum age for girls to become involved in sports, Chuks-Crabill said there are advantages to being introduced at a younger age when considering a young person’s familiarity with a particular sport and their confidence in their abilities.
“If you start around elementary, maybe by early middle school and you get used to the sport, then your confidence and self-esteem will be a little bit greater and hopefully you’ll be able to stay a part of the sport a little bit longer,” she said.
The program will begin with welcomes from Chuks-Crabill and Dr. Emily Jones, director of health services at Amherst College followed by a warmup with Sydni Spencer, assistant to the director of athletics.
More information on the days events and registration can be obtained by contacting jchuks@amherst.edu.