The Buffalo Bills hosted 200 girls ages nine through twelve and over 100 volunteers at the Bills Fieldhouse last weekend for the Western New York Girls in Sports Clinic.
The clinic, in partnership with the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, Buffalo Public Schools and Girl Scout Council of WNY, was an interactive sports clinic for female students from ten different "Closing the Gap" schools.
The WNY Girls in Sports program was founded in 2004 by Mary Wilson, wife of Buffalo Bills Owner Ralph Wilson.
"What I want the kids to leave with is number one, the excitement of sports," said Wilson. "But, also interacting with these incredible young athletes who are here coaching them."
Various "stations" such as tennis, golf, volleyball, soccer, double dutch, ice hockey, rowing and sportsmanship were set up around the Bills Fieldhouse for girls to learn more about the positive impact that sports can have on their lives. These young girls had the opportunity to participate in the different sports presented and learn more about sports and health related issues.
Wilson was impressed with the volunteers from all over Buffalo and especially the current student-athletes that were helping.
"We had two athletes speak about how much their sport has impacted their lives," said Wilson. "It's just great to see all these kids enjoying different sports."
The volunteers were from University at Buffalo, Canisius College, Niagara University, Upstate NY Jr. Golf, Sportsplex, Niagara Frontier Jr. Olympic Volleyball Club and the Buffalo Soccer Club.
The goal of this popular and successful WNY Girls in Sports program is to empower, educate and motivate young girls through sports participation, learning life skills, sportsmanship, and awareness of Title IX and its history.
