In Their Own Words: What Participation In Sports Means To The Female Athletes Of Today

Female high school athletes today cannot conceive of a world in which they’d be expected to wear the same uniform for every sport they played, where their season would only consist of four or five games, without the opportunity to play for a championship, or where no one would want to sit in the stands and watch them compete.

Fifty years after the passage of Title IX, which paved the way for gender equity in education, but particularly in athletics, female athletes can chase the same dreams as their male counterparts — they can experience the thrill of a playoff victory, the joy of hoisting a county championship plaque in the air as the crowd cheers, the camaraderie that comes from putting their heart and soul into working toward a common goal with teammates, the boost in self-confidence and mental and physical well-being that playing sports can provide.

For the anniversary of the landmark legislation, The Express News Group asked several current female high school athletes from its coverage area to reflect on what playing competitive sports has meant to them, how it has shaped who they are and who they want to become, and the life lessons they’ve learned along the way. Here are their thoughts, in their own words.

I first started playing organized sports around 3 years old, playing soccer. I am a lacrosse goalie. As a leader of our defense, I enjoy making big plays to propel our team forward. It is so unique to be in this position because there are only two of us on the field at a time. Growing up, I gained valuable skills of teamwork and communication from playing lacrosse. Lacrosse benefits me by helping me be in good physical shape to be the best I can be for my team. I also enjoy challenging myself and setting achievable goals to keep progressing and improve my confidence. I remind myself that no matter how rough things get, I need to keep pushing for my teammates and also play for the kids who don’t have the opportunity to participate in organized sports.

My most significant female role model when it comes to sports is University of North Carolina Lacrosse alumni Taylor Moreno. They have had her as their goalie for the last few years, and she has faced a lot of adversity. She injured her knee three times during her high school/college career. It was heartbreaking for her to be unable to play lacrosse, but she kept coming back even stronger. She is a very strong lacrosse player and supports everyone on and off the field. I admire her ability to not give up and to push through her devastating setbacks.

My life would be drastically different if I wasn’t playing sports because I thrive in a team environment, getting to know everyone and giving them constant support and encouragement. If I was not allowed to have the same access and opportunities as my male peers, I would not be the person I am today, giving 100 percent to my sport and teammates.

Equity will be preserved by guaranteeing that these programs will receive equal press coverage and funding. Our community proved our equality by rallying around our girls lacrosse team when we won the Long Island Championship, much as they did for our boys football team a couple of years ago when they won the Long Island Championship.

I was around 5 when I started playing soccer and lacrosse.

My old lacrosse travel team was actually named Title Nine. I grew up with the concept of Title IX being a big one in my life. My dad, having two girls, always hated the question, “Don’t you wish you had at least one boy so he can play sports?” Little did those people know that both of his daughters would grow up to play lacrosse at a top 15 division one college. It’s almost the “prove them wrong” mentality. Title IX is the reason that my sister and I are where we are in our lives today and we are forever grateful for it.

Playing sports has taught me so many life lessons over the years. It teaches you leadership, how to be a part of something bigger than yourself, to think of others and be a good sport, teamwork, and much more. Obviously, playing sports keeps me in shape and is very beneficial physically, but also mentally — it’s like you have multiple families that you hang out with every day. My teammates are the people that I spend the most time with that I would probably have never talked to if it weren’t for sports. Knowing that you have a whole team of people to rely on even for things mentally is a really good feeling.

Sports also gives me something that I can go do to get my mind off of things. I am very proud to say that I play sports and that I am going to college for sports, and I think that it has helped me a little with my mental health. I also like the fact that I view myself as an athletic person and feel like that is a big part of who I am.

I think my life would be extremely different [if it wasn’t for sports]. My whole life has practically revolved around sports, and my future does, too. If it weren’t for lacrosse, I most likely wouldn’t be going to the same college [James Madison University] that I am right now. I have got to experience and go to many different amazing places because of lacrosse. I have also made lifelong friends that I would not have if it weren’t for sports. I think that if I wasn’t given the same opportunities as male athletes, my life would be completely different — and not in a good way.

I started playing organized sports when I was 6 years old. Athletics were always important to my family and we have always connected through sports. My goal is to play volleyball in college.

I was unaware of the impact of Title IX and am surprised to find out that women were treated so unfairly when it came to sports and education. Women should have the same opportunities as men.

Sports have taught me leadership skills, how to be a team player and work together to win. Not just for myself but for the rest of the team. Sports has given me many friendships and allowed me to meet and form relationships with athletes from other places. We are competitive, but we all learn from each other and drive each other to improve our game. Sports has given me confidence in myself and shown me what I'm able to accomplish both physically and mentally.

Bryona Hayes, my teammate from varsity track is someone I admire and have learned a great deal from. She has taken me under her wing, been a positive leader and shown me my potential. She is always working extremely hard to be the best athlete and version of herself she can be. Bryona has also taught me about maintaining a healthy lifestyle in order to improve my athletic performance. She has always looked out for me like an older sister and inspired me to be my best self.

If I weren't playing sports, I would never have met so many amazing female role models who have helped shape my life. I definitely would not be in good physical shape and would not have had the opportunities to travel, see new places, and meet other athletes.

I still feel that there is gender inequality in sports. There always seems to be more focus and attention on the boys sports teams, even when they're not winning. We’ve come a long way, but still not far enough.

I was about 5 years old when I started playing organized sports, which included soccer, basketball and track.

I’ve been able to be my true self with sports and it has shaped me into a true leader. Playing sports has taught me to never give up and to have no fear. If I have the heart, drive and determination, I will be able to do anything I put my mind to as long as I work hard.

Sports for me has brought the best version of myself out and I’ve been able to be myself and not be afraid of failure. I’ve found the courage to do anything I want.

I think my life wouldn’t be as happy without sports. I truthfully have lots of love for sports. It’s something that makes me relieved and happy. It’s a feeling that I can’t seem to grasp and describe because it makes me so happy. As females, we are often told we can’t do certain things. I don’t agree with that statement at all. Anyone has the ability to be good at something, it takes time and practice. I believe no matter who you are, if you want to succeed at something, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

I have heard many stories for many different beautiful women who had strongly expressed how, in times past, girls would always be told “no” or be put down for not having strong enough arms or for not being fast enough, and they would be told they can’t do something because they are a girl. When I hear stories like that, I sit and really get angry because, personally, I’ve been in that position before where multiple boys have told me I can’t do something. It isn’t a good feeling. However, it motivates me to work harder and be the best I can be. I don’t have to prove myself to any of them, nor will I let what they say get to me.

I have many female role models, but there is one who really influences me and motivates me to be the best version of myself. Sydney Michelle McLaughlin is an American hurdler and sprinter who specializes in the 400 meter hurdles. She is the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist and a world record holder. I admire her because of the heart she has for everyone around her. She is a female who shows determination,sportsmanship and leadership. The courage she shows and the love she has for the sport and overall the way she carries herself is what makes her a great role model and influences me to be able to know that I can do anything I put my mind to.

Currently, I play midfield in field hockey and run track, competing primarily in the 4x400m relay, the high jump, and the long jump. I have also played softball and basketball and did dance and gymnastics in elementary school. I started ballet when I was 4, and started T-ball and little league softball at age 5 or 6.

Sports have been such a large aspect of my life for so long. I truly have no idea what I would do without them. First of all, sports have shaped me in a way that I don’t think anything else could. Not only have I learned the value of hard work and effort, but also how to work as a team and communicate with people. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to have developed these skills, as they are applicable in all areas of my life. Being able to talk with my peers in a productive way on the field translates directly to the classroom, but also in relationships and at my summer job. I’ve been able to appreciate the value of a team and the sense of reward one gets when they work collectively toward a common goal.

Sports have also given me the best friends I have ever had. With school sports sourcing players from different grades, travel sports sourcing players from all over the island, and camps where people come from all over the world, I have met so many fun and interesting people through sports. It is something special to be an athlete and meet other athletes like you. You may be completely different people off the field, but on the field you have one common purpose and passion that bonds you together, and you are able to form genuine connections with people you would otherwise pass by.

Sports have also served as an all-encompassing oasis for mental and physical well-being. While obviously, sports have kept me fit and consistently moving, they have also been my biggest outlet when it comes to mental and emotional struggles. The two hours pocketed into my day where I could focus my energy on one simple thing, really helped me get through the most stressful times. Sports help to ground me and make me forget about the millions of things I constantly have running through my mind. Once I step on the field, I know I must push everything else away, and it allows me to clear my thoughts and keep going. You’re working toward something bigger than yourself, which really helps to minimize your problems and overcome whatever you are facing. Having a whole team of other girls facing the same everyday struggles has also helped me feel less alone during difficult times. I have been lucky enough to have amazing and supportive coaches as well, who have talked with me and supported me when I was struggling, and I am truly grateful to have such an amazing support system.

It would definitely be difficult if sports weren’t offered to me from a young age. I have been given such valuable skills and confidence from sports that I could not imagine my life without them. Sports have allowed me to approach the world with greater confidence and have taught me to not be intimidated by challenges. If I, as a female, were not given an equal opportunity to enrich my life and my skills through organized sports, it would be more difficult for me to compete in the real world, amongst men who have been given all the benefits that sports have to offer.