Posted by Breanne Smedley | 

Today is National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

A time to reflect, and a time to celebrate.

One of my greatest (and fondest) memories of women in sports happened in 1999.

I was 11, and the US Women’s Soccer team had just won the world cup.

I played soccer at the time, and I remember watching Brandi Chastain kicking the game-winning penalty kick.

And I remember what she did afterwards.

Ripped off her jersey and ran around the field, unashamed to show her emotions while in her sports bra for the world to see.

It was amazing. She looked so strong. So confident. So joyful.

And just like that, 11 year old Breanne was inspired.

"I want to be like her," I thought.

Fast forward to yesterday, and for some reason, the notice that it was National Girls and Women in Sports Day was especially meaningful for me.

I had a deep sense of connection to the fact that today, we celebrate girls and women in sports.

And when I get these feelings, I’m learning to sit with them, rather than just rush through and ignore.

What are they trying to tell me?

Part of it has to do with the role that sports have played in my personal development.

The lessons I’ve learned. The work I’ve grinded out. The platform I was given.

All contributed to who I am today.

For that, I’m thankful.

But, it was deeper than that today.

I think a large part of it has to do with the work I was doing tonight.

I call it work, but really it’s not that.

It’s a passion. A calling. Something I feel so deeply connected to.

Tonight I was training one of the groups of the Elite Competitor Program.

The "young group" I call them.

They are between the ages of 10-12.

Young.

Some, just starting out in volleyball.

Others, with 3-4 years experience.

But, in the scheme of things, they are just starting.

They have their whole career, their whole lives ahead of them.

And tonight? We talked about the words we say to ourselves.

The thoughts that can so quickly tear us apart and cut our confidence.

Or, build us up and make us believers of our own worth.

And I lead them through a process of digging into what they want.

Then turning those things into mantras and affirmations.

Between the "young" group, and the "older" group last week, I’ve been able to hear some powerful words from these young girls:

And I’ve been able to pinpoint why I feel so emotionally connected to this day.

Because I imagine these young girls growing up, actually believing and knowing their worth.

Learning young that the power of their thoughts outweighs any challenge they may face.

That they can create their outcomes, no matter what the system or anyone else says.

That they are powerful beyond belief.

And the work I’m doing is bigger than myself.

I imagine these young girls growing up armed with confidence.

Knowing their worth, and continuing the fight.

And I’m thankful and humbled to be in the position to inspire them on their journey.

To inspire them, like the female athletes that have come before me have impacted me.

It’s come full circle.

What sports have given me, I now give back.

Hopefully to generations of women to come.

That is surely something to celebrate.

So, happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!

Let’s celebrate it, every day.