Sport is one of life’s greatest teachers. Providing opportunities for play, movement, learning, personal growth, collaboration, and more makes sport invaluable. Sport is not simply about winning and losing, but more importantly, it’s about the lessons you learn, the challenges you encounter, and the personal development it provides.
Sport teaches us that a challenge is meant to be overcome, failure is necessary for growth, collaboration builds community, leadership is about selfless service to others, and that self-belief leads to success. Sport empowers women to dream big and break barriers both on and off the pitch. Sport encourages girls and women to be confident, find their voice, be okay in the mess, and challenge the status quo. Sport teaches us that marginal gains add up over time, and celebrating the small wins is always important.
Personally, I hope my story inspires young athletes to believe in themselves – knowing that with a little joy, hard work, curiosity, and determination, anything is possible. I’m a girl who started playing field hockey in high school. I’m a girl who did not attend an ACC or Big Ten program. I’m a girl who experienced the failure to qualify for an Olympic Games in 2020. My path differed from most and had its challenges, but regardless of your path, through those adversities and challenges, no matter how big or small– both youth and Olympic level– you have your superpowers. Be resilient. Overcome fear. Nothing is guaranteed, but anything is possible if you dare to bet on yourself. More important than the successes or failures is the person those experiences shape along the way. Lean in and dream big.
Amanda Golini is a Longstreth and Ritual sponsored player.
