In conjunction with National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Dr. Kiki Baker Barnes, the athletic director at Dillard University and a noted athletic leadership coach and consultant has announced the launch of So You Want a Career in Athletics™ (SYWACIA) Getting in Formation Sports Leadership Academy for Teens and SYWACIA Summer Leadership Intensive for Aspiring Professionals.
Dr. Barnes said both interactive academies will take place virtually during Summer 2021. They will serve as mentoring and activation hubs for high school girls and young women who are interested in careers in sports.
According to a recent survey of female leaders in sports by the Women’s Sports Foundation, researchers found that 77 percent of respondents indicated that a “lack of exposure to female coaches as role models limits girls’ sports participation.”
“So You Want a Career in Athletics recognizes that sport participation is a gateway to careers in sports. Our foremost goal is to provide girls and young women interested in sports with access to high level leadership and dynamic mentoring that will fuel their passion for athletic, executive, administrative or entrepreneurial opportunities in sports,” Dr. Barnes said.
Previously in the summer of 2020, Dr. Barnes hosted a virtual SYWACIA tour that reached 189 participants in 80 cities, 26 states and two countries. Dr. Barnes said 97 percent of the participants indicated that they increased their awareness of career opportunities in sports because of attending one of the events. The forthcoming SYWACIA opportunities are aiming to broaden exposure and opportunities for similar audiences.
The SYWACIA Getting in Formation Sports Leadership Academy for Teens will take place June 17-20, 2021. The SYWACIA Summer Leadership Intensive for Aspiring Professionals will take place July 8-11, 2021. The application period will open March 1, 2021. Visit here to request more information about the program or sponsorship opportunities.
SAVE THE DATE
So You Want A Career in Athletics™ Presents
Getting in Formation Sports Leadership Academy for Teens
Where: Virtual
When: June 17-20, 2021
Who can attend: High school girls interested in careers in sport (9th – 12th grade)
So You Want A Career in Athletics™ Summer Leadership Intensive for Aspiring Professionals
Where: Virtual
When: July 8-11 2021
Who can attend: Young women interested in careers in sports (undergraduate, graduate, 1-5 years into professional career)
