Why I Believe in the Power of Sports for Girls

“Fine.”

This is her standard reply when she comes home from school. I’m rushing upstairs, already late for my next meeting, to grab a snack and ask how her day was. Her tone is curt; she barely looks at me. I have to remind myself that this is developmentally appropriate for my 13-year-old.

"E, you can say that differently." I try to say calmly as she briskly walks past me, through the kitchen, and upstairs to her bed, where she'll nap until basketball practice. After school, she's not exactly pleasant -- and I get it.

Honestly? I’m cranky, too.

I’ve been in back-to-back meetings since 8 a.m., barely finding time to eat or pee. I work hard, not just for myself, but for my family. I do it so my kids can have an education that exposes them to opportunities, so they can play the sports they love with the support of trainers and all the gear they need. I do it to be present, working from home while still giving them the life they deserve.

And yet, when I ask, “How was your day?” the response is an attitude-filled “fine.”

But then, she’s off to basketball practice, pulling on her favorite basketball hoodie as she heads out the door. The hoodie is her go-to for everything—school, practice, lounging—and I'm pretty sure it needs to be washed.

When she comes back, she’s a different kid. The attitude is gone. She’s happy. She’s bubbly. She wants to talk about her day, about who likes who, and who doesn’t. She’s already planning what she’ll wear tomorrow (spoiler: it’s sweats and a favorite basketball hoodie again).

As her dad cleans the kitchen and I help straighten up, we all talk.

And in those moments, I remember why I believe in the power of sports. It’s not just about the game—it’s about the way it transforms her. It’s the confidence, the joy, and the connection it brings into her life.

That’s what makes it all worth it.