We’ve all been at the local boys football or basketball games on Friday nights. We’ve seen how busy it is. The many bustling families and the excitement buzzing though the air like electricity. Lizard Licked wants the same excitement for girls sports, and we’ve done something that will hopefully help with that. We can’t fix everything, but we can try to make things better one small step at a time.
According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, high school girls who play sports are less likely to have unplanned pregnancies, maintain higher grades and higher graduation rates. This all carries into womanhood, where being a part of a team can contribute to more self-confidence, higher self-esteem, and improved psychological well-being. You can see the information for yourself here. According to The National Federation of State High School Association, “over the past 50 years it has been realized that interscholastic athletics participation can lead to better outcomes in education, positive health benefits and even improved opportunities in later employment. For some high school athletes, access to participation opportunities opens a door to playing sports in college and beyond. For all high school students, participating in athletics can be a source of fun and empowerment, lasting friendships, confidence in one’s physical skills, development of leadership potential, growth in the resilience necessary to commit to a vision, learn from mistakes and persist in meeting goals. These benefits are well worth encouraging participation for boys and for girls.”
In the 50 years since the passage of Title IX, which prohibits educational discrimination based on sex by any institution receiving federal financial assistance, the number of high school girls playing sports jumped from just under 300,000 to 3.4 million. These numbers are incredible; however, there are still 1.3 million fewer sports opportunities for girls than boys in elementary and secondary schools. Not only are the opportunities still lacking for our girls, so is the financial support. See, according to the Government Accountability Board, equal treatment is required, but not equal spending. So, when our brand was given the opportunity to design and supply new, much needed, uniforms for a girls Lacrosse team, we jumped at it.
In 2022, Mary went to see her one of her grandniece’s lacrosse games. Mary loved seeing the girls kicking butt, but after talking to a family friend at the game she became concerned. Mary was told that the teams uniforms were falling apart. They didn’t have much money left in their budget to afford new uniforms for the girls teams, which they desperately needed. Ideas of Lizard Licked creating and supplying uniforms were discussed, but it wasn’t until later that year that the plans came to fruition. When the phone call came from a parent on the team asking if Mary was still interested, she immediately replied with an enthusiastic, “Hell Yeah!”. Mary contacted her trusted graphic designer and clothing manufacturer and got to work.
After a few months and a couple of board required tweaks, the design was finally approved! The girls all received custom made uniforms three weeks later! The girls are killin’ it and loving their new uniforms.
What does the future hold for Lizard Licked and our philanthropic adventures? You’ll just have to wait and see!