NGWSD clinic a success

NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina hosted its sixth annual free multi-sport clinic for girls (grades 2-6) last Friday night at the Rodgers Recreation Center.

Student-athletes from various Salve Regina women's athletic teams were on hand to instruct and demonstrate the fundementals and techniques of their respective sports. Around 50 girls from around the greater Newport area came to Rodgers to join the Seahawks.

“This has been the sixth year that Salve has hosted the National Girls and Women’s Sports Day Clinic for the kids. This year, the clinic was a huge success. I could not be more proud of the turnout from our community,"noted associate athletic director Kelly Scafariello following the clinic."This event is to help introduce girls at an early age to the various athletic opportunities available to them. Our amazing female student-athletes volunteer their time to teach technique and drills from their sports. There is nothing more rewarding as an administrator to see our athletes engaging with the girls. They feel good about what they are doing and it shows."

Set up around the gym were different stations ranging from volleyball to basketball and lacrosse to soccer. The girls also engaged in different relay and track events set up by the Salve Regina track team.

Sophomore Gina Tortorici on the women's lacrosse team helped run the lacrosse station for the girls. "I think this is a great opportunity for Salve Regina Athletics to build our relationship with the community and for these young girls to have fun," Tortorici said following the clinic. "I also think this helps Salve Regina athletics build a bigger fan base as well."

“Athletics is such a wonderful avenue to learn about teamwork and developing friendships. I hope that through this event, we inspired the girls to want to engage in sports" remarked Scafariello. "We also hope they had such a good experience that they will come back next year and bring friends!”

Since its inception in 1987, National Girls and Women in Sports Day has become the premiere occasion to celebrate the participation, success and accomplishments of girls and women athletes. What started in 1987 as a single event in Washington, D.C. to honor Olympic volleyball star Flo Hyman has grown into a nationwide celebration across all 50 states.

The Women's Sports Foundation is a member of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) coalition. Other members include: Girls' Incorporated, Girls Scouts of America, National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, and the National Women's Law Center.

The women's volleyball team leads the girls in a group stretch to start the clinic.

The girls learn passing and catching techniques from the women's lacrosse team.

The women's track team teaches footwork to begin the track station. 

The women's basketball team helps the girls with their dribbling techniques.

The girls get a lesson in bumping from the women's volleyball team.

The women's soccer team helps the girls with their passing back and forth.