The Western New York Girls in Sports program, a free sports sampling event for girls ages 9-12, is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, at St. Bonaventure University.

With its mission to promote healthy choices and create pathways for girls to participate in local, high school and even collegiate sports, in 2024 more than 1,200 girls from across Erie Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Niagara counties have participated in the program.

No sports experience is necessary and all skill levels are welcome. The Oct. 5 event will provide girls with the opportunity to try out a range of sports such as basketball, tennis, golf, volleyball and more.

Girls will enjoy free lunch, receive a free T-shirt and swag bag, meet St. Bonaventure female student-athletes, and participate in activities designed to foster teamwork, confidence, and physical fitness.

Registration, available at www.uwcac.org/wny-girls-in-sports, is due Sept. 27.

The event aims to inspire young girls to explore various sports while promoting health, fitness and life skills through physical activity. With funding from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, it is organized with the support of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties, and St. Bonaventure University.

“We are excited to invite girls from across Western New York to join us again for this amazing event,” Sue McAuley, UWCAC executive director, said. “Sports offer so much more than physical activity – they build essential life skills like teamwork, leadership, and resilience. This event is about creating opportunities and inspiring young girls to realize their potential.”

Since its founding in 2006 by Mary Wilson, the Western New York Girls in Sports initiative has worked to expand access to sports programs for girls, particularly those from underserved neighborhoods.

In addition to offering this program free of charge, transportation costs will be covered for interested schools, making it even more accessible for students to attend. Cattaraugus and Allegany county schools are encouraged to participate and take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage their students in sports.

The United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties is proud to support this initiative as part of its ongoing efforts to promote health and personal development among young people in the community.

For more information, contact the United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties at 716-372-3620 or via email at director@uwcac.org.

The United Way of Cattaraugus & Allegany Counties brings people together to build strong communities where everyone thrives. They tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic solutions, and health resources.

For more information on United Way programs, visit www.uwcac.org.