PRETTY KNOTTY Sponsors Athletic Training Event in Support of NGWSD

February 2017 marks the 31st Annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) which is traditionally held on February 1st. NGWSD was formed by the Women's Sports Foundation to support equality and access for women in sports while exposing girl to athletics to help encourage participation.

This year’s theme is Expanding Opportunity. In celebration of NGWSD, we sponsored an athletic training workshop for the Boys & Girls Club Family Center Springfield Ballers basketball team in collaboration with students and faculty from Springfield College.

Led by Dr. Kristen Ouellette, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science and Sports Studies, Springfield College students introduced sports specific training and programming for female basketball players. Activities included plyometrics, agility movements, jumping exercises, light resistance training, and speed training.

According to the National Girls and Women in Sports Coalition, “only 40% of high school girls are currently playing sports, leaving three-in- five girls without the opportunity to play. Decades of research show that girls who play sports have better health, higher self-esteem, greater academic achievement, stronger leadership skills, greater economic opportunity, and so much more.” By celebrating NGWSD, we can get more girls in the game and expand their opportunities both in sports and in life.

PRETTY KNOTTY was proud to support NGWSD by sponsoring the athletic training workshop at the Boys & Girls Club. Everyone seemed to love doing deadlifts with the sandbag... as you can tell from the pics. It was exciting to get these young ladies excited about strength training... get it, girls!

And one last heartfelt thank you to the volunteer coaches from Springfield College! You are an inspiration.

Hair Up, Game On, Shelly