BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Playing a sport can make you feel on top of the world at one moment and bring you back down just as fast. Despite the score, Cecelie Owens thinks sports can do something much greater especially for young women.
“Through sports participation the girls are able to obtain lifelong skills they need to be successful, Cecelie Owens, the founder of the Girls Sports Foundation, said.
The GSF is designed to give athletic opportunities to young underserved women in Buffalo.
“Our mission is to promote the importance of academic achievement respect self confidence healthy lifestyle and teamwork," she said.
Today was the first annual Hot Shot shooting competition. Girls 8 to 18 competed in a shootout for trophies and gift cards, but more importantly this offered them a chance to just to play ball.
Owens knows first hand how important events like these are for young women. She is the principal at West Hertel Academy.
“I'm in the trenches every day and I see the need for these young ladies to have a positive outlet for them to be successful”
Sue Green is a social work professor at the University at Buffalo. Her and her students are helping run the event. She’s also a lifelong athlete and says sports are what made her the woman she is today.
“I was on that cusp of when even scholarships and things started to become available for girls in college so I know for me it absolutely shaped the person I am today”
Owens hopes these contests catch on to the point where she can host a free sports camp for girls next summer.
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