Established in 2002, IOU Sports mission is to provide sports education, fitness opportunities, career information, and charitable assistance to girls and women who participate in all levels of sports. Our overarching goal is to empower girls using sports as an avenue that instills discipline, teamwork and physical fitness to create well-rounded individuals. We produce seminars, workshops, reading programs, and other educational events that are open to the public where ideas, opinions and other concerns relating to girls and women in sports can be expressed and shared with others in the community. In addition, we developed instructional camps and clinics that will feature community and national women leaders that will show the true meaning of role models.
Read about our Founder.
PURPOSE OF IOU SPORTS:
IOU Sports is a 501© 3 grassroots, non-membership, education and sports organization for girls and women. Its purpose is to provide a Unique, Cultural, Educational, and Athletic Experience for Girls and Women.
IOU Sports motto is to Share, Educate, and Empower girls and women through education and sports.
IOU Sports will…
SHARE information and resources on and about women’s sports and community happenings.
EDUCATE the community regarding women’s health issues, career’s, and life lessons from education and sports, and
EMPOWER girls and women through our symposiums, educational and fitness programs, leadership forums and through various role models from the community and from the national level.
SERVICE AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS:
Girls Physical Activity Initiative
This program was developed to increase daily physical activity among urban girls ages 8-13 by effectively reducing childhood obesity across this target population group in a way that is replicable, scaleable and sustainable. Groups are formed that will motivate girls to stay active by making physical fitness a daily routine, provide support and encouragement, exposure to positive role models, cultural enrichment activities, reading initiative, attend women sporting events, and learn about health and nutrition.
Girls Basketball Combine Camp
An excellent opportunity for girls ages 8 – 13 with a variety of skill levels to improve their overall game. Each camper is placed in skill groups according to age, skill level and experience with the focus on skill development and leadership. In addition, the campers will experience a second tier, classroom instruction on Nutrition, Basketball Terminology and Comprehensive Reading on Leadership. BONUS: Every Camper Attends a WNBA Chicago Sky Game!
TechSports II Field WorkA training program for girls ages 14 – 18 that introduces young girls to statistics software for use in youth basketball leagues and school games. The tool allows participants to capture game statistics and accumulate season statistics allowing the girls to score games "live" from courtside or by entering statistics back at a work station. Our training will bring together young girls and basketball teams so that they all have an efficient vehicle to increase their future probability of SUCCESS!
Girls Violence Prevention Forum
A gender responsive forum offering empowering connections between girls ages 13 - 18, women and other important members of the community to address the needs of a girls emotional, physical safety and well being and where we focus on violence prevention, conflict resolution, self-esteem, and leadership.
Women is Sports Symposium
The Women in Sports symposium is a leading academic forum for both current professionals and students interested in the sports industry and is designed to educate participants by exposing them to top female leaders. We are very proud of our program that offers a dynamic mix of U.S. and local sport leaders, women advocates for community development and social change, as well as academic sport education experts.
The Women in Sports symposium is a leading academic forum for both current professionals and students interested in the sports industry and is designed to educate participants by exposing them to top female leaders. We are very proud of our program that offers a dynamic mix of U.S. and local sport leaders, women advocates for community development and social change, as well as academic sport education experts.