02/05/2026
I’ve currently got something in the works with basketball, so I decided to post some of my favorite photos from this season. As a former two-sport college athlete and current sports photographer, I fully understand the role that sports have played in my life and want to recognize that today is National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
Seeing all of the opportunities available for girls and women that didn’t exist when I played makes me think back on my favorite commercial of all time…’s “If You Let Me Play” which presented the benefits of girls participating in competitive sports.
In continuation to that ad campaign, according to to UN Women’s site:
“Sport is a great enabler to teach girls the skills they need to advance in life. Girls who play sports develop self-esteem, confidence, resilience, and learn to work in teams. They tend to stay in school longer, delay pregnancy, and get better jobs.
Eighty per cent of female Fortune 500 CEOs played sports in their formative years, emphasizing the profound impact of early exposure to sports on women’s development and ability to reach their full potential.
Ninety-two per cent of global audiences surveyed by Parity Now agree it’s important for girls to play sports growing up, with 61 per cent deeming it “very important”.
Despite the evidence of clear benefits, by the age of 14 girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys due to several factors, such as social expectations, lack of investment in quality programmes, and more.”
We’ve come a long way but still have far to go if you let us play.
