While there have been many sports that have come and gone, very few, if any, were true blue sports for women. There’s basketball, soccer and tennis, all of which played by women but dominated by men. Women-dominated sports such as volleyball, swimming and gymnastics, usually attract spectators, more often than not because of the women athletes’ looks, and not for their skills.
Many studies have shown that exercise benefits one by strengthening and increasing cardiovascular endurance, decreasing the chances of developing heart problems, strokes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and many others. But more importantly for women, particularly young girls, exercise and participation in sports have even more positive effects.
In the US alone, a number of studies have revealed that sports involvement in girls does not only benefit them physically but also emotionally, mentally and academically. In fact, these studies have shown how involvement in exercise and sports do not only make girls healthier, but also develops more confidence, self-assured young women.
Exercise, sports and recreational involvement give girls greater confidence, higher self-esteem, have more positive body image and have significantly reduced chances for depression. Girls who live physically active lifestyles through sports involvement are less likely to get into drugs, get pregnant and are more likely to be academically successful.
Incidentally, a recent study has shown that women who have been exercising regularly from menarche (the onset of menstruation during adolescence) throughout their childbearing years, can significantly reduce the risk of contracting premenopausal breast cancer. On a similar note, women who exercise regularly in college or have participated in college sports are less likely to contract breast cancer and other reproductive cancers.
To this end, the Softbelles Summer Camp 2005, the first-ever all-girl sports summer camp in the country will be held for girls, ages 8 to 18 years old who are interested in learning a new sport.
This 15-session camp, headed by gold medallists from the SEA Games and four-peat UAAP Champions, starts on April 4 until May 14 at the Rosario Sports Arena, Pasig City. A three-day tournament shall cap the 6-week summer camp.
For more information and inquiries regarding the camp, call 793-2121 or text 0917-7545242 or log on to the Softbelles website at www.softbelles.org or email at home@softbelles.org.
The Softbelles Summer Camp 2005 is duly endorsed by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) and the Philippine Sports Commission.
