Girls At Bat is an introductory level baseball program designed to reduce some of the biggest barriers anyone identifying* as a girl may face when accessing or participating in sport. Some of these barriers include, but are not limited to, sport being too competitive, having a perceived lack of skill, limited access to opportunity, and low confidence. Girls At Bat works to remove these barriers by creating spaces that empower and centre the leadership and voices of girls and provide opportunities for them to learn and play sport amongst a resilient and inclusive community. The program changes the game for girls by focusing on four key pillars: connection, courage, leadership, and love of sport. The program is implemented by schools and community organizations with the goal of increasing participation and retention in sport and play.
Program Overview
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT:
- 1 in 4 girls is not committed to returning to their pre-pandemic sport participation levels (Canadian Women & Sport, 2021).
- 1 in 3 girls report a poor perception of belonging as a factor for dropping out of sport (Canadian Women and Sport, 2020).
- By the age of 14, girls are 2x more likely to drop out of sport (Women’s Sports Foundation’s Go out and Play: Youth Sports in America report).
Get Involved
There are Girls At Bat programs all over the country. Jays Care is here to help make it easy to launch and run a Girls At Bat program that changes lives and leaves a lasting legacy. Start a Girls At Bat program in:
“Girls At Bat is the first program at our school that allows for a try out-free sports space for girls. We had 31 students on the team that would usually not try out for any sports, who finally got the opportunity to be part of a team and belong to something special.” – Girls At Bat Educator
“Thanks to Girls at Bat, newcomer girls have the opportunity to participate in sport feeling included and part of the community connecting with other Youth”. - Girls At Bat Community Partner
“On our second session, the team created a mural together. We had a whole practice planned, with lots of different activities, but the team was having so much fun chatting, laughing and drawing that we ran out of time for anything else! Watching them connect with each other and bond as a team was a highlight for all of the coaches!” – Girls At Bat Educator
In addition to Jays Care Foundation's partnerships with First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities and urban Indigenous organizations to deliver Indigenous Rookie League, Jays Care partners with Mushkegowuk Tribal Council to deliver James Bay Girls At Bat. James Bay Girls At Bat is a life-promotion program for Indigenous girls living in Treaty 9 area that arose from 5 First Nations’ collective response to a surge in youth suicide attempts and a state of emergency that was declared by the Chief of Attawapiskat First Nation in 2016. The initiative taken by Jays Care to provide inclusive, trauma-sensitive, life-skills development programming has earned high regard from the ten represented First Nations.
Program Overview
James Bay Girls At Bat aims to empower Indigenous girls by fostering life skills, peer connections, and resilience. Drawing on a network of organizations and led by Jays Care Foundation, the program provides a transformative experience by prioritising Indigenous and youth-led programming, fostering a positive online network and week-long youth retreats hosted with the generous support of Muskoka Woods Camp. Within James Bay Girls At Bat, participants forge supportive relationships, learn essential skills, and set ambitious goals for the future, all within a safe and nurturing environment. To learn more about James Bay Girls At Bat, send an email to [email protected].
“It made me realize that I have this whole other family that’s there for me.” – Youth Champion
"The biggest impact JBGAB has had on me is being able to make new friends and get involved with my community. Also getting chances at these amazing opportunities has helped me become a good leader." – Youth Champion
“Retreat really helped me with my self-esteem, knowing that someone was always in my corner. I know what it is like not to always have someone there for you. I want to be there for the (younger) girls. The motto here is ‘We Show Up’ and I will.” – Alyssa, 20 Mentor-in-Training from Peawanuck First Nation, Ontario.
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