Get In the Game!

Girl-to-Girl Advice on Getting Involved in Sports

Now is the time to "awaken your inner athlete."

Not only are sports exciting and fun, they also come with a major bonus: The skills you pick up while playing (like leadership, teamwork, setting goals) will last a lifetime, whether you go on to become a pro athlete, a scientist, a business executive, a community leader - you name it.

So, how do you get started? Here's some girl-to-girl advice from students at NCGS Member Schools:

• Try lots of sports. Each one is different, and each demands different skills. Sample them all - there's sure to be one that you love, and that really suits you.
  
  
• Go to some games. Not sure where to start? Go to some games - school, college or pro - and see what's what. Get there early, and talk with some of the players about why they love their sport.
  
  
• Team up with a friend. Learning something new can be more fun - and a lot less intimidating - with a friend by your side. Find someone who's looking to get into the game too, and sign up together.
  
  
• Celebrate small victories. Don't obsess about being an all-star. Get revved up when you succeed at, say, skating backwards for the first time, sinking a three-pointer, or serving a tennis ball right on target.
  
  
• Learn from defeats. Even your disappointments can yield valuable life-lessons. Understanding why you didn't win or achieve your goal can improve your chances for success the next time.
  
  
• Have fun! Sure, it takes work to train and learn the moves. But never forget it's a game - you're supposed to be enjoying yourself!