ANN ARBOR, Mich.—The Ann Arbor Sports Commission will host the third annual Washtenaw County Celebration of Girls & Women in Sports on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the George Gervin GameAbove Center on Eastern Michigan University’s campus.
The free, family-friendly event is designed to empower and inspire girls and women in sports through hands-on athletic activities, educational discussion, and collegiate competition. It coincides with National Girls & Women in Sports Day, which is recognized annually during the first week of February to honor the achievements of women and girls in sports and to emphasize equitable access to athletic opportunities.
“This event continues to grow each year, and we’re proud to bring the community together around something that’s both meaningful and fun,” says Meaghan Hughes, director of the Ann Arbor Sports Commission. “By combining physical activity with honest conversations and visible role models, we’re helping girls see that they belong in sports and that there are many paths to staying active, confident, and connected. We’re especially grateful to Eastern Michigan University for their partnership and commitment to helping make this event impactful for young athletes and families.”
While the focus is on empowering girls and women, the event is open to everyone. Parents, families, coaches, and supporters are encouraged to attend and celebrate female athletes.
The event will begin at noon and includes a youth sports clinic for participants ages 13 and under. The multisport clinic will feature activities such as lacrosse, rowing, soccer, cheer, and football, and is designed to be inclusive and supportive for athletes of all experience levels.
An educational panel discussion will follow, featuring women leaders, coaches, and athletes who will share perspectives on supporting girls in sports, building confidence, and navigating athletic spaces as women. Panelists include Danielle Plunkett, executive director of Girls on the Run Southeast Michigan, who will serve as facilitator; Marley Duerst, girls soccer coach with Saline FC and Ypsilanti Community High School; Ella Grasson, an Eastern Michigan University volleyball student-athlete; and Lauren Drinane, EMU senior secretary for football and a former collegiate track and field athlete.
“Research continues to show the positive impact sports can have on girls’ mental health, but the quality of the environment matters,” says Plunkett. “When we create spaces that prioritize belonging, effort, and teamwork, girls thrive on and off the field.”
The day will conclude with an Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball game, followed by a postgame autograph session with the players.
This year’s event will benefit Girls on the Run Southeast Michigan, with the Ann Arbor Sports Commission donating $1,000 to support the organization’s mission of empowering young girls through physical activity and social-emotional learning.
The Celebration of Girls & Women in Sports will take place at the George Gervin GameAbove Center on EMU’s campus and is free and open to the public. More information and registration details are available online.
The Ann Arbor Sports Commission thanked its partners, including Eastern Michigan University, the Women’s Sports Foundation, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, and Girls on the Run Southeast Michigan, for their collaboration and shared commitment to advancing opportunities for girls and women in sports.
