Hannah Storm - Go Girl!: Raising Healthy, Confident and Successful Girls through Sports

I want for my daughters, no doubt, the same things that you want for yours. A deep sense of security that comes from being nurtured and loved. The courage to stand up for themselves and their ideas. The determination and optimism to follow their dreams. Nebulous concepts, to be sure, and as a parent, I find the journey full of stops and starts, frustration and joy, mistakes and triumphs. There is no easy way to take that precious little baby and help mold her into the adult that you want her to beher best self. How do we, as caretakers, shape our daughters experiences in a meaningful way? Where does sports enter into our priorities and our thinking?

As with all things parenting, a road map can be helpful. Even more so because some of us did not grow up as the first real generation of women who participated in sports in large numbers. All these years after Title IX became law in 1972, there is still a lack of appreciation for just how critical participation in sports is for our daughters development. And yet, what a powerful tool this is for parentsand what a big effect sports can have on our daughters physical, emotional, and psychological well-being!

Even though I have enjoyed a decades-long career as a network sportscaster and newscaster, as a young parent, I had no idea what to do with my own daughters athletic lives. After a few disastrous ice-skating outings and Saturdays filled with daisy picking on the soccer fieldand facing the reality that I didnt even know how to teach my daughter to ride a bikeI sought out advice on the subject. Quite simply, there was nonehence, this book! I figured that if I had so many questions as a so-called expert in the business, then other parents would have the same concerns.

I grew up in a sports world. My father was a longtime sports executive, and I did the usual: softball and soccer, before high-jumping for our track team in high school. (I was also the school mascot, a wildcat, which must count somehowafter all, I earned a letter!) Maybe you played sports as well and are active in sports now. Or perhaps you were not athletic and dont love physical activity, but do it because you know you have to. No matter. If you get anything out of the following pages, it should be this: sports are undeniably a critical part of your daughters development and will have a powerful impact on her life.

What if I told you there were something you could do that would make your teen less afraid to raise her hand in math and science class? That this same thing would lower her risk of abusing drugs and alcohol? That she would have a much lower chance of getting pregnant as a teen? That she would have a healthier body image? That she would have a head start in the business world? That she would have FUN? Would you do it? Of course you would.

And thats where this book comes in. Sports do all that and so much more. Its not an option. Its not something to be shoved to the bottom of the priority list. Its not unladylike or a distraction from academic pursuits. Its essential. And its for every girl. Its HER right, and your responsibility.

Heres the best part. It all starts with you and your daughter just simply playing and hanging out in the backyard. Along with keeping her clothed, fed, and safe, and reading to her, this is the most powerful thing you can do for your daughter. Its my hope that the following pages offer you great advice, information, and inspiration for helping your daughter grow with confidence, health, and happiness.

What Is Title IX and What Does It Mean in Athletics?

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is the federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in schools and other educational programs that receive federal funds. It applies to all aspects of educational opportunities, but is especially well known for its success in opening the door to athletics for women and girls. Because almost all public elementary schools and secondary schools, as well as most colleges and universities, receive some sort of federal funding, their athletics programs are covered by Title IX.

Title IX requires schools to:

• offer male and female students equal opportunities to play sports.
• treat male and female athletes equitably.
• give male and female athletes equal shares of athletic scholarship money.