BISMARCK, ND – Looking to make a difference through athletics for girls and women who may have limited opportunities and resources to participate and compete, the women's athletic programs at the University of Mary joined forces to donate to the organization Growing the Game for Girls through the Sports Bra Project.
 
Helping provide an essential piece of sports gear for girls and women, the women's athletic programs at UMary – women's soccer, tennis, women's basketball, women's cross country and track & field, swimming, volleyball and softball – combined to collect and donate 85 sports bras.
 
"We are donating the sports bras to the organization Growing the Game for Girls, which encourages girls and women to participate in sport and sensitizes communities to the promotion of opportunities for females by using grassroots projects to decrease discrimination and increase social inclusion especially in sport," said Marauders head soccer coach Sarah Cook. "This organization has also collaborated with an organization called "The Sports Bra Project" which helps these girls and women by providing them with essential equipment, such as something as simple as a sports bra that they can't afford or have, to be able to participate in sport.
 
"A friend of mine, Lisa Berg, who I coached soccer with for the Region II Olympic Development Program, co-founded the organization Growing the Game for Girls. Through her social media, I was made aware of the Sports Bra Project. I reached out to Lisa to find out more about it, and see how we could help.
 
"Every year the UMary women's soccer team has an annual Christmas party where we do a White Elephant gift exchange. This year I suggested we donate to Growing the Game for Girls and the team was completely on board. It dawned on me that we could make a bigger impact if our whole women's athletic department banded together instead of just our team. Track & field and cross country head coach Dennis Newell, (former) head volleyball coach Thais Franca, head softball coach Kerry Shaw, head women's basketball coach Rick Neumann, head tennis coach Vida Saliendra and head swimming coach Allan McCallum were all on board with the idea too! 
 
"A sports bra is a very important piece of equipment for girls and women in sport, and to be able to help provide one to a young female athlete to participate in their sport is a very rewarding feeling! I know sports has really made a difference in the young women's lives here at University of Mary and we are just hoping that we can help make a difference in other young female athletes by providing this essential piece of equipment. I'm very proud of the women student-athletes at our school to band together and donate to this cause!"
 
To learn more about these two organizations, check them out via their social media sites at:
       
The Sports Bra Project  

• Facebook (@Thesportsbraproject)
• Instagram (@SportsBraProject)
• Twitter (@SportsBraProjec)

 
Growing the Game for Girls

• Facebook (@growingthegameforgirlsafrica)
• Instagram (@GrowingtheGameforGirls)

 
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