Philadelphia’s Professional Teams Join Forces to Showcase New Sports to Girls

It was all about providing opportunities for girls to play sports!

On Monday, July 17, the Philadelphia 76ers, Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, Union and Wings hosted a “Philadelphia Sports Girls Initiative” event for females 8 to 12 years old, giving participants the chance to play six different sports – including basketball, football, hockey, baseball, soccer and lacrosse – all on the same day.

The event took place at Citizens Bank Park and kicked-off with Opening Ceremonies in the Yard, where hundreds of young females gathered as team mascots got the girls rallied for the day’s activities with participants including the Phillie Phanatic, Gritty and the Flyers Ice Team, Swoop and the Eagles cheer team, Phang, Franklin, Wingston and players Mitch Jones and George Downey.

The girls were then divided into groups where they had the chance to try different sports on a rotating basis, all led by current and former sports players and team youth development staff.

Highlights included the chance to shoot baskets with the 76ers, work through street hockey drills on an inflatable rink with two-time Stanley Cup winner Bob “the Hound” Kelly and Flyers staff, practice football drills with the Eagles, take some swings and practice throwing with Phillies 1993 National League Champion Mickey Morandini and the Phillies Ballgirls, practice shooting drills with the Wings and play soccer on an inflatable field and practice kicking the ball via Soccer Darts with the Union.

Participants were also provided with information on how to stay involved with these sports in their community.