Submitted photo – 60 participants showed up at College of the Redwoods for the inaugural North Coast National Girls and Women in Sports Day last year.
By Ray Hamill — Highlighting the benefits of competing in sports for young girls will take center stage once again next week at the second annual North Coast National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
The event is being organized by Del Norte senior multi-sport student-athlete Bliss Blackburn, in conjunction with Fortuna Assistant Principal and HDN Student Athlete Advisory Council mentor Kristie Christiansen, and it will take place at College of the Redwoods on Wednesday, Feb. 4.
The day will be free of charge for any young girls in sixth through eighth grade in Humboldt and Del Norte counties and runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The inaugural North Coast National Girls and Women in Sports Day took place a year ago and was well received by the local community with 60 young girls showing up for the event.
“The day is about keeping girls in the game,” Blackburn said. “Because more than 70 percent of young girls competing in sports drop out by age 13.”
Blackburn knows full well the positive impacts competing in sports can have for young girls on the North Coast and around the nation.
The Del Norte student-athlete standout has played volleyball and basketball for the Warriors in each of the past four years and she will complete her 12th high school sports season on the softball fields this coming spring before graduating.
Blackburn, who organized the inaugural North Coast National Girls and Women in Sports Day last year, says there are numerous ways participating in sports can have a positive impact for young girls in the community.
In addition to the obvious fitness benefits, studies have shown that participating in sports can also have a positive impact for young girls in mental health, confidence, body image and grades, while also helping to build leadership skills.
For this year’s event, which falls on the official National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Blackburn is inviting 10 sixth-to-eighth grade girls from every middle school in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
Close to 60 girls had already signed up by last week, although Blackburn says she has not heard back from every school in the area and is hoping that number will continue to grow between now and Feb. 4.
The message is clear. You don’t have to be an athletic superstar to benefit from competing in sports.
“You don’t have to play on a varsity or college team, we just want girls to stay in the game,” Blackburn said.
The day’s activities will include a guest speaker, current topics and games, as well as a free lunch and free sweatshirt for all participants.
This year, Cal Poly Humboldt Deputy Athletics Director Mike Herbert will serve as the keynote speaker.
“I’m super excited for sure,” Blackburn said. “I love having the opportunity to bring girls together, and I think it’s a great opportunity for young girls to reach out to other girls and build friendships.”
For more information or to sign up for the event, anyone interested can email Blackburn at northcoastngwsd@gmail.com.
Blackburn also expressed her appreciation to Christiansen and Del Norte Athletic Director Taylor Duncan for their help in organizing the event, as well as the day’s sponsors, a group that includes Soroptimist International of Crescent City, Red Sky Roofing and SeaFront Bakery.
