For Women’s History Month, We’re Getting Girls Back in the Game!
At Asphalt Green, expanding access to programming for girls and women of all ages, backgrounds and abilities is critical to our mission. Unfortunately, barriers keep too many girls and women on the sidelines:
- Annually, boys get 1.13 million more sport opportunities than girls (National Federation of State High School Associations 2018-2019).
- In 2019-20, only 30% of the overall recruiting dollars in college sports went to female athletes, while male athletes also received $252 million more in athletic scholarships (Gatorade Sports Science Institute).
- The percentage of adults who met both physical activity guidelines was higher among men (28.3%) than women (20.4%) (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).
- 43.1% of girls don’t ever play a sport compared to 34.5% of boys.
Although we offer a wide range of sports, fitness, and play programs, we know there’s more to do to make fitness and athletics truly accessible for all. That’s why we launched our Get Girls in the Game Campaign to raise funds that will grow our free and low-cost sports programming and support scholarships to our competitive teams.
For Women’s History Month, we spoke with members of the Asphalt Green community about their own fitness and sports journeys, women who have inspired them, advice for getting started, and why they believe it’s important to Get Girls in the Game:
Nicole Lee, Director of Fitness
I got myself back into the gym after having a baby, working with a personal trainer and beginning CrossFit. People started asking me if I was a personal trainer. And so, I figured why couldn’t I be one?
I was really inspired when I went to my first CrossFit gym and saw these young women who were doing these things I had never seen before, like muscle ups and barbell. I was like, “That is what I want to be able to do one day.”
The most important thing is to just start. I always say that the heaviest weight is the front door, and I truly believe that it takes a lot of courage to enter a gym or fitness center sometimes by yourself.
Find something you like doing because you want to be able to do it for life. We always say, “Fitness over broad time.” I think it’s also really important that the lessons that we learn in the gym be applied to your everyday life. Fitness makes you a more capable human being for life outside of the fitness center walls.
Amanda Joseph, Asphalt Green Flag Football Club
My fitness and athletic journey began with field days in grade school and in my own backyard with the kids on my block! I loved gym class and always felt a rush when it came to any kind of competition. Field day became the Pandora’s box for sports for me. I’ll also always remember my backyard kickball days with my neighbors. Not only was it a way for us to bond, but it pushed me further into sports outside of school.
Picking one woman who inspires me is like asking a foodie what their favorite food is.But, my dad used to watch sports on TV and I loved when he watched tennis matches. The biggest name was always Serena Williams. I’d mimic the movements and grunts just like her. I even asked for tennis lessons! As I got older, I learned more about her and her sister’s background and what it took to get them where they are. I learned that skill isn’t always enough—support comes right after.
My advice to any woman or girl looking to get into fitness and sports is to just do it. I think women need to be more defiant! We’re constantly told what we can and cannot do, wear, eat, etc. You don’t have to fit a certain mold to be an athlete or to start your fitness journey. Strength comes in all forms—whether it’s lifting heavy, running fast, or just showing up for yourself consistently.
Find what moves you, and don’t be afraid to try new things. If one sport or workout doesn’t feel right, there’s always another way to move your body. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, and remember that progress looks different for everyone. Most importantly, have fun with it—because when you enjoy the process, sticking with it becomes second nature!
Lauren Madden, Director of Adaptive Programs
I began my fitness journey by playing soccer as a kid, and honestly, I fell in love with it right away. I also danced growing up—jazz, tap, ballet, and musical theatre. I also did win a free throw contest in elementary school, but let’s just say that was the beginning and end of my basketball career.
Overall, I was lucky to try a variety of sports and activities and discovered that soccer and dance were my true loves. By high school, I was focused on musical theatre, which meant giving up soccer. Fast forward to last summer, when I joined some recreational leagues for softball and soccer—turns out playing as an adult is a lot tougher than I remembered!
Misty Copeland has been a major inspiration for me ever since I did a project on her back in elementary school. She’s an incredibly strong and empowering figure in the world of ballet. Her autobiographies are real gems—definitely worth a read for anyone looking for motivation and insight from a true athlete!
I’d say try something that seems fun to you. Right now, I’m enjoying “hot girl walking” with friends, and it’s a great way to stay active without the pressure. For adults, joining a casual rec league can be a relaxed way to get back into the game.
For kids, I really encourage families to let them try a wide range of sports. I’m grateful my mom pushed me to try almost everything—sure, volleyball was tough for my arms, and swimming wasn’t my strong suit, but I found my communities and passion in soccer and dance, and those communities truly pushed me into where I am today.
