February 19, 1999
The William J. Oakes branch of the Boys & Girls Club of San Diego was selected as one of 100 sites to develop a new innovative sports program for girls. NIKE is donating $100,000 to sponsor this exciting program which is administered by the Boys & Girls Club of America (B&GCA). The local club was selected from over 200 applicants and will receive a one-year, $1,000 grant to develop the NIKE Girls Sports Program
The Williams J. Oakes branch will work in collaboration with NIKE to develop program models, resources and training to make B&GCA the national leader in sports and fitness programs for girls. William J. Oakes' Program Director, Esperanza Fernandez-Sotelo, recently attended a two-day regional training session in San Diego to educate B&GCA professionals on how to enhance their sports program for girls.
"We are very excited to be chosen as one of the 100 new sites for the NIKE Girls Sports Program," said Thomas Hazard, President of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego. "We have a long-standing tradition of helping young women break barriers in order to reach their full potential. The NIKE Girls Sports Program is a perfect complement to our existing programs."
Along with this great honor comes a myriad of responsibilities that the Boys & Girls Club is looking forward to. As a NIKE Girls Sports Program site, the Boys & Girls Club will conduct at least one NIKE Games Tournament including representation of such sports as soccer, track and field, volleyball, basketball, mini-soccer, softball and street hockey. In addition, they will establish a mentor program utilizing local collegiate athletes or a local women's athletic league, and host a major special event celebrating and promoting National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
The program is a way for young women to learn the importance of teamwork in many of life's activities. It also teaches character building, leadership skills and acquaints young women with positive female role models in the world of sports. However, the main objective of the program is to give young women the opportunity to play, have fun and feel good about themselves. "For me, the program, is a way to prove myself and develop the discipline necessary to be a winner," shared Brittany Hickbottom, a William J. Oakes member.
The William J. Oakes branch of Boys & Girls Club of San Diego, established in 1941 serves more than 1000 boys and girls annually providing programs that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation.
Any individuals, organizations or agencies who want to help with establishing the new NIKE Girls Sports Program, please call the William J. Oakes Club Director, John Davis or Program Director, Esperanza Fernandez-Sotelo at (619) 525-1739.
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