Lady'Backs host clinic Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas Women’s Athletics Department celebrates National Girls & Women in Sport Day this week hosting a clinic for area youth on Saturday. The activities begin at 9:45 a.m., and take place in Barnhill Arena and the Bev Lewis Center for Women’s Athletics. This is the second year Arkansas has hosted the multiple-sport clinic for area Girl Scout troops. Clinic activities include instruction and activities in golf, gymnastics, soccer and volleyball as well as stay active/stay fit lessons and cooperative games. It is a great opportunity for our kids to give back to the community," said head golf coach Kelley Hester. "It is also good for the attendees to have young women to look up to, someone to emulate. The girls enjoy giving back to the community and interacting with the kids, a lot of who may have never been introduced to golf." It is great anytime we have a chance to expose our program to the youth in Northwest Arkansas," said Lady Razorback volleyball coach Chris Poole. "Our players enjoy performing community service and I am proud to say that the volleyball team has a lot of great role models. It should be fun for everyone." “I think our women have as much fun at these clinics as the visiting kids do," said Arkansas soccer coach Gordon Henderson. "For many of our women, if not all, they fully understand the importance that sport and activity played in their lives. Confidence, communication skills, increased self esteem, stronger sense of self worth are many of the side benefits of playing sports. For many years, our society has been aware of male sporting role models. ‘I want to be like Mike.’ Young girls can look at these women and say, No – I want to be like Tina, Katie, and others. That is a strong and powerful message." NGWSD began in 1987 celebrating the accomplishments of Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman both on an off the court. Hyman died of Marfan’s Syndrome in 1986 while competing in Japan. She was instrumental in advancing women’s athletics on many levels and worked hard to assure equality for women in sport. "We’re excited to be involved in the clinic," said co-head gymnastics coach Rene Cook. "This gives us a great opportunity to expose young girls to our sport who otherwise may have never seen or participated in gymnastics." The clinic hosted by the Lady Razorbacks is one of several 100 taking place all week through out the country. For more information about National Girls & Women in Sport Day, log on to www.ngwsdcentral.com.