Eastern Shore Family YMCA expands girls-only sports programming

It started with a simple question from a 9-year-old basketball player.

“Coach Liz, can I have another girl on my team?”

That moment, recalled by Liz Klenke, sports director with the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, highlighted a reality many girls face as they grow older in sports: fewer female teammates, fewer opportunities, and fewer spaces where they feel they belong.

In response, the YMCA has expanded girls-only sports programming, including offerings at the Eastern Shore Family YMCA, creating supportive environments designed to keep girls engaged in athletics during the years when participation drops most sharply.

According to UNESCO, 49 percent of girls drop out of sports during adolescence, a rate six times higher than that of boys. Research points to several contributing factors, including lack of female role models, declining confidence and negative body image.

“In recreational leagues, co-ed teams are often the default, but over time we see girls get phased out,” Klenke said. “Girls don’t stop loving sports. They stop feeling comfortable, confident or included. We wanted to create a space where girls are encouraged, supported and truly seen, especially at the ages when they’re most likely to walk away.”

The impact is already evident. In a survey of girls ages 8–12 who participated in YMCA girls-only soccer programming, one-third said they would not have played at all if a co-ed team had been the only option.
Parents echoed that sentiment.

“She was ready to quit, but having a girls’ team convinced her to keep playing,” one parent shared.

“I actually get passed the ball,” said one young athlete.

Beyond participation, the YMCA views girls-only sports as an investment in leadership development. UNESCO research shows sport is a proven tool for women’s empowerment and is linked to academic success and career achievement. Yet gender inequity persists across athletics, from participation to leadership roles.

“The pay gap and lack of women in leadership don’t start at the professional level,” Klenke said. “They start when girls drop out early. If we want more women coaches and role models, we have to keep girls in the game now.”

Building on early success, the YMCA of South Hampton Roads has expanded girls basketball across the region for Winter 2026, including opportunities for families on the Eastern Shore.