GIRLS AT BAT

JAYS CARE FOUNDATION believes in a level playing field where all Canadian children and youth have the opportunity to thrive and succeed. One way we are working to achieve this goal is through GIRLS AT BAT.

WHAT IS GIRLS AT BAT?

Girls at Bat is Jays Care’s girls-only baseball program co-designed and delivered in partnership with Plan International Canada. The program is specially designed for girls and women to make both playing and coaching feel fun and safe. Girls at Bat provides girls and young women who would normally sit on the side-lines, or not even go near the field, the courage to try. Once on the field, the program weaves fun and challenging baseball drills and skills with vital self-esteem, team-building and personal health activities to ensure that all participants gain far more than baseball skills.

WHY GIRLS AT BAT?

Research has shown that active children have the ability to concentrate much better and that exercise decreases anxiety, reduces depression, and improves mood and outlook in children. Physical activity also develops children’s self-esteem and confidence and can develop further social skills such as leadership and empathy. Girls need sports and more female role models practicing and coaching them in sports to ensure that they live long and healthy, active lives. Girls at Bat is designed to be a spark that ignites that passion in communities all across Canada.

1 The 2015 ParticipACTION report card, 2015

Only 59% of girls between ages 3 & 17 participate in sports

Only 16% of adult women participate

in sports

If a girl hasn’t participated in organized

sport by age 10, there is only a 10% chance she

will be a physically active adult

GIRLS AT BAT

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INVOLVE?

In order to ensure that the Girls at Bat experience is profound for the girls involved, Jays Care devotes significant time, expertise, training and coaching to the local women who are the key implementers of the program. Here is what we do:

OUTCOMES TO ACHIEVE

FOR GIRLS

• Increased self-esteem and awareness of positive body image

• Enhanced connection and commitment to regular physical activity

• Increased connections to positive female role models

FOR FEMALE COACHES

• Enhanced passion and commitment to be female role models in sport & play

• Increased confidence in planning, leading and assessing positive girls-only programming

• Enhanced skills in leading outcome-based programs for girls

FOR COMMUNITIES • Increased number of accessible and reliable baseball and self-esteem building programs available for girls

• Increased number of girls participating in regular sport programming

• Increased number of women in sport leadership and coaching positions through sport in their communities

WE ASSESS THEIR NEEDS

WE TAILOR A PROGRAM

REFLECTIVE TO THEIR NEEDS

WE PROVIDE THE TRAINING

PARTNER SUPPORT

REQUIRED

WE PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT

AND FEEDBACK

WE MEASURE OUTCOMES AND

CONSTANTLY WORK TO IMPROVE

Those interested in hosting a Girls at Bat clinic apply on line to help us better understand the assets and needs of the organization/community and determine if they are a priority for selection.

Jays Care staff work with each selected applicant to design a tailor-made Girls at Bat coaching workshop for women coaches and a simultaneous Girls at Bat players clinic for local girls that reflects their unique needs.

Local youth and adults who are committed to regularly coaching girls in baseball can access a two-day coach training that Jays Care facilitates in partnership with Plan International Canada. Local girls and young adults can access a two day dynamic clinic. This hands-on clinic allows Jays Care clinicians and newly trained coaches to teach local girls a wide range of baseball and life skills using fun and inclusive drills, games and activities.

Funding for one year to help initiate a viable Girls at Bat program and culture within a community. Access to essential baseball equipment for young girls and female youth to engage in the program. A commitment to implementing a minimum 10, two-hour Girls at Bat practices for 20 or more girls.

Coaching and feedback from our skilled and supportive staff team are offered on-site during the clinic and by phone year-round.

Using child-friendly measurement tools, we work with partners to assess the successes and challenges of each Girls at Bat clinic and on-going programming to ensure we are always growing and improving the program’s quality.

Toronto Blue Jays, Jays Care Foundation, and all related marks and designs are trademarks and/or copyright of Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership. ©2016 Additional marks and designs are the property of their respective owner and are used under license.