How Female Athletes Inspire the Next Generation
Globally, female athletes are becoming more well-known than ever
by Madalyn Kelly
Globally, female athletes are becoming more well-known than ever. This is crucial for young girls to have role models to look up to in their lives. Collegiate-level and professional athletes play very important roles in impacting young girls and inspiring them to be strong female athletes themselves. They are showing them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. As the years go on and young girls have more female athletes to look up to, they are consistently reminded and encouraged to become strong female athletes. Thanks to the role models from older generations, these young girls can see what’s possible. When they witness older athletes achieving success in their athletic dreams, it inspires them to pursue their own. Having strong female athletes to aspire to is crucial for young girls and promotes the idea that they can succeed in competitive, male-dominated fields.
As an athlete myself at university, I feel a big responsibility to be a positive role model for younger athletes. I have also had the opportunity to coach basketball for the younger generation. Watching young kids look up to you, grow, and gain confidence in themselves is something truly special to watch. This often takes me back to my days as an athlete. I remember how much I admired the other players ahead of me. As an elementary schooler, I looked up to the high school athletes like they were professionals. Their success made me believe that I could achieve great things, too. I believe that their influence is what helped me become a strong athlete and shaped me into the person that I am today. I hope that I can do the same for others and help young females gain confidence and have someone to look up to.
I distinctly remember a time that warmed my heart when a young female athlete came up to me. This interaction brought me to realize how even I, as a 19-year-old athlete, play a significant role in the lives of a young 7-year-old athlete. I vividly remember a moment when I scored my 1,000th point in my senior year of high school, and the next time I worked with a young girl in the program, she excitedly ran up to me, saying her dad had shown her the news segment of me reaching that milestone. It was at that moment that I realized the impact I had on this child’s perception of what was possible. This experience strengthened my belief in the power of being a role model and how one’s success can inspire young girls to aim higher and believe in their potential.
The rise of female athletes is more than what it looks like. There is a reason that female athletes are becoming more popular on television and online, but it's not a coincidence. Over the years, female athletes have had to work extremely hard to gain the recognition that they are slowly starting to have. This uprise in female athlete coverage and becoming well-known is allowing young generations of female athletes to have role models and inspirations to look up to. In a 2018 campaign, a well-known quote was shared: “If she can see it, she can achieve it.” This goes to show that the recognition of female athletes on television and becoming more well-known gives young female generations the belief that they can be just like them one day if they set their minds to it and work hard.
With the inequality and less recognition in women's sports, female athletes have never given up. This can inspire younger generations that, despite challenges thrown their way, they never give up on anything they believe they can achieve. It may take some time, but it sure is possible. Female athletes show how to keep going even when things are tough. They face challenges like unfair pay or fewer opportunities but still succeed, which teaches them to never give up.
Female athletes show young girls that women can do anything, even achieve goals, and set records in sports that may be seen as male-dominated activities. In the past, a lot of the time, sports were seen only for men, but women are quickly changing this idea. Young girls are starting to break stereotypes and do whatever they want, whether it’s playing on a women’s football team, hockey team, or any sport in general. Thanks to the female athletes before the younger generation for paving the way to success, allowing young athletes to do whatever they set their heart to.
As female athletes continue to grow, so does the increase in coverage of women's sports. Imagine a 10-year-old girl turning on the TV and seeing a group of female athletes dominating their sport. This gives the young girl the idea that she can achieve anything, setting her mind on all the things she can conquer just by seeing role models before her. Female athletes serve as role models for younger generations, challenging social norms, inspiring involvement in athletics, and encouraging girls to become the greatest versions of themselves.