Citywide Girl's Athletic, Health, and Leadership Organization Comes to Auburn Gresham
Several Perspectives middle school students listen to Girls in the Game coaches and participate in a round-robin discussion regarding sports, nutrition, fitness, and leadership.
Ernest Sanders
Founded in 1995, Girls in the Game's mission is to provide and promote sports & fitness opportunities, nutrition & health education and leadership development to enhance the overall health and well-being of all girls. Since that time, Girls in the Game has provided services to over 15,000 girls and today reaches out to more than 2,000 girls citywide.
Girls in the Game came to Perspectives Charter Middle School-Calumet (PCS-Calumet) with the expectation of providing female students further knowledge and direction about matters sensitive to their age group, gender, and community. These issues are widespread and consist of participating in an organized sport, leadership development, and health related issues including obesity, hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, and stress.
A Girls in the Game Part-time Coach demonstrates how to position and stop a soccer ball.
Ernest Sanders
Another aspect of Girls in the Game’s mission at PCS-Calumet is notion of teaching students the importance of maintaining a high self-esteem. Studies show that female youth entering adolescence are more likely to have issues with self-esteem than their youth male counterparts (Commonwealth Fund). With Girls in the Game’s organized sports activities, health disciplines, and leadership development strategies, the female students at PCS are more likely to Elev8 themselves amongst their peers, better prepare themselves for high school, and often make improved choices concerning their health and community.
Liz Pearson, Programs Director for Girls in the Game pointed out that certain students do not participate on a school sports team for a mainly two reasons - availability of sport within the school or community and fear of not being talented enough. Girls in the Game is sensitive to this issue and brings organized activities to PCS-Calumet that eliminates these barriers. These activities range from traditional sports as soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track & field to non-traditional physical activities as yoga, aerobic kick boxing, dance, and lacrosse.
Monique Turner, Program Manager at PCS-Calumet was ecstatic to have Girls in the Game come to their school. “Students are taught the basics and the importance of participation in an organized sport and more importantly encouraged to participate as leaders and teammates. I really like the fact that Girls in the Game reassures each student gives input and participates in an orderly fashion. It really helps to nurture and mature our student body’s character.”
Female Perspectives middle school students line up before practicing dribbling techniques with a soccer ball.
Tiffany Horton
When asked why they decided to participate in this afterschool program, several female students responded in the following manner:
- "I like Girls in the Game because they offer a variety of different sports and learning activities.”
- “Girls in the Game gives you the chance to play and learn different sports.”
- "I get to meet and associate with other classmates that I have not met during school.”
- “I heard about Girls in the Game from another student who recommended I join.”
- “The snacks are my favorite part.”
- “I like that it is just girls only.”
Pearson relishes the belief of her organization and said, "Girls in the Game is committed to the successful outcome of our female elementary, middle, and high school students throughout the City of Chicago. We really enjoy being here at Perspectives and are very thankful for the relationships we established with the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation (GADC) and the entire PCS network. We are very thrilled to encouraged positive lifestyle choices with our participants."
Part-time coaches Kristina Zuidema and Ashley Smith both spoke highly of Girls in the Game’s mission and its application at PCS-Calumet.
Zuidema said, “As a coach for Girls in the Game, I believe it is vastly important to give young ladies an opportunity to participate in an organized sport. It builds their self-esteem and allows them to discover their hidden talents.”
Part-time coaches Ashley Smith [L] and Kristina Zuidema educate Perspectives middle school students about other important facets regarding soccer.
Tiffany Horton
Smith, a Southside native, replied similarly and said, “I have always been interested in helping female youth transition from childhood to young adults. Girls in the Game’s activities and curriculum are very crucial to our youth’s moral fiber and also important to insure students have a good outlook on themselves.”
Girls in the Game is slated to be at PCS-Calumet for 30 weeks, teaching 10 different sports, and meets from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm. If you would like more information on Girls in the Game, please contact Liz Pearson at (312)633-GAME (4263), ext. 205, Michelle Mason GADC's Elev8 Director at (773) 483-3696, or Monique Turner Perspectives at (773) 358-6300. You may also visit Girls in the Game’s website at www.girlsinthegame.org