As we celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Winmark - the Resale Company® and Play It Again Sports® are proud to play an integral role in empowering female athletes everywhere.
Offering affordable and sustainable solutions to families is just the beginning of the rewarding opportunities franchisees have to give back to their communities. Our system-wide and store-by-store initiatives inspire customers to work toward their dreams - whether they’re little league sports stars or future Olympians.
emBolden Her
This year, for the second year in a row, Winmark and Play It Again Sports are partnering with champion women’s hockey player Blake Bolden to mentor young women between the ages of 13-16 in sports. Through their partnership, they’ve launched the emBolden her program, in which the selected girls will meet with Blake virtually on the first Saturday of each month between March 4, 2023 and August 5, 2023.
Each week will have a different topic of discussion, ranging from mental preparation to goal setting, self-motivation, nutrition, time management and spreading kindness. Sessions will also have guest speakers and the opportunity for the girls to get to know one another and build a like-minded community.
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From Play It Again Sports to the Big Leagues
Since starting minor youth hockey at a young age, Blake Bolden has broken barriers by achieving many firsts in women’s ice hockey. Since buying her first hockey stick at Play It Again Sports, she’s achieved a long list of accomplishments - from winning Gold in 2008 and 2009 in the U18 World Championship with Team USA, becoming the first black player drafted in the first round of the CWHL and the first ever to compete in the NWHL, being named to the “Hockey 40 under 40” list by the Athletic, the second woman ever to scout for the NHL, an ESPN reporter and being presented with the 2023 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human Dignity Award.
Partnering with the LA Kings
As the Official Resale Partner of the LA Kings, we are committed to supporting local families and communities and growing girls and youth access to sports. While we strive to do so through programs such as the emBolden her Mentorship Initiative, we also do so through sport specific programs. Play It Again Sports recently joined Blue Shield of California and SuperFD in partnering with the LA Kings to host a women’s hockey camp for female players ages 10-15.
Led by Blake Bolden and two-time Olympic gold medalist Megan Bozek, this camp was held at Toyota Sports Performance Center, the LA Kings HQ and Practice Facility. Together, we encouraged the players to keep striving toward their dreams, both together and individually.
You Can Help Empower Female Athletes, Too
Applications for Blake Bolden’s emBolden her Mentorship Initiative are open until February 10th, but there are also things we can do every day to empower female athletes.
Play It Again Sports franchisees have seen firsthand the difference their businesses make in the community. From selling a kid their first hockey stick to watching them outgrow their uniform and come back to trade them in for a new one, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing them accomplish their goals and break new barriers.
Do you have a passion for empowering others to achieve their athletic dreams? Contact us today to learn more about opening a Play It Again Sports franchise in your area.