In mid 2014, Laura Bagnarol, a social worker from Dutchess County who worked with survivors of child sex abuse and domestic violence, began looking for a summer program for her daughter.
“There weren’t a lot of choices and everything was hyper-feminine. There was only cheerleading, dance, gymnastics, soccer and T-Ball,” she says. “Then I was like, why don’t we take the most masculine sport, flip it on its head and introduce it to girls?”
By summer, the Pigskin Princess Project – a football empowerment program for girls who would rather be on the field than on the sideline – began with a group of 10 5- to 7-yr-olds. By spring 2018, there were 50 girls between the ages of 3 and 10 registered.
The Pigskin Princess Project gets young girls up and moving – even those who may not be that big into sports at all – by teaching them the basics of football through fun drills, challenging agility exercises and scrimmaging. It also highlights community involvement projects and involves the participants in discussions about inspiring females who embody the “Word of the Season” (this season's word is SERVICE) to keep them excited and engaged.
Although it began as an idea for a summer camp, the program has turned into a fall, spring and winter program that area parents sign their children up for, sometimes after their interest is piqued from seeing Bagnarol, a mother of three, with her footballs and nets at a community event.
“When ... I have my nets set up, a girl will come over who’s never picked up a football before, and she's shy - whether she’s 12 or 4. I just show her how to put her hands on the laces and throw the ball and her whole demeanor changes when she throws that ball into the net. She lights up. It’s unbelievable,” she says.
As the program has grown, its offerings have, too. The Pigskin Prince Project for boys ages 3-5 – with a focus on what it means to be a brave man or brave boy – began in January 2017 when a mom approached Bagnarol and asked about offering the same self-esteem building project for young boys.
“They may grow up to be these awesome athletes, but hopefully it will carry with them that it doesn’t mean anything compared to what you’re doing off the field,” she says. “They are really young, but it can’t hurt to put those messages out there. Sometimes it goes [over their heads] but if they get one little thing, it’s a good thing.”
Eventually, Bagnarol wants to push a program targeted to middle schoolers because that’s when self-esteem in girls plummets.
“We teach that you protect each other on the field - but out in the real world you have to look out for each other, too,” she says. “Not competing against each other but raising each other up.” Important messages, indeed.
For more on the Pigskin Princess Project, the Pigskin Prince Project or registration information, log onto www.pigskinprincessproject.com.
Still Photography: EC Media Group, LLC
Music: http://www.bensound.com
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