SPARK Philippines Champions Female Participation in Sports

Manila — In an initiative to counteract prevailing stereotypes, SPARK Philippines and its sports program Girls Got Game are working to empower young girls through sports by providing opportunities and fostering self-confidence.

According to Philippines News Agency, a coach from Girls Got Game, during an interview with the Philippine News Agency, there is a persistent belief among various societal groups that sports are not suitable for girls. This mindset is one of the barriers they aim to dismantle. Agregado stressed the importance of building confidence in young girls to overcome such notions.

Brianna Stella Marie Austria, a 15-year-old student at Jose P. Laurel Senior High School, recounted personal experiences that echoed these traditional views. Despite hearing opinions that girls should stay indoors and tend to household chores, she joined the volleyball camp organized by Girls Got Game to improve her skills in the sport. The camp, which Austria attended, is part of a collaboration between SPARK! Philippines, Smart, the Quezon City local government, the United States Embassy, and the Department of Education.

Austria expressed initial apprehension, which was common among participants, but found encouragement in the supportive training environment. The positive outcome of the training, which included a brief match, demonstrated to Austria and her peers that with proper guidance and practice, girls could excel in any sport.

Girls Got Game, established in 2013, has been pivotal in providing a nurturing environment for girls through roving sports camps where they can learn basketball, football, rugby, and volleyball. It not only focuses on physical training but also on the values associated with sportsmanship, such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance.

The organization’s coaches, who are mostly former athletes, including professional volleyball players and members of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, offer their expertise. Non-athlete coaches tend to the creative and logistical needs of Girls Got Game.

Maica Teves, Executive Director of SPARK! Philippines, emphasized the transformative power of sports in building character, particularly among young girls. She observed a significant boost in confidence among the participants once they engaged in the sports activities.

Commemorating the International Day of the Girl every October, SPARK! Philippines expanded the celebration to a month-long event starting in 2019. This year, the celebration included various activities like sports camps, documentary screenings, interactions with women leaders, and an educational workshop held at the United States Embassy in Manila on October 11, 2023. The workshop featured distinguished panelists such as US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson and the city’s Mayor Joy Belmonte, among others.

Beyond sports, SPARK! Philippines, a non-government organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, advocates for educational and professional advancement for young girls in diverse fields. The organization’s broader mission is to contribute to national development by empowering women and girls to be full partners in progress.