Cover photo description: Lola Clemens 27′ and Dianna Shi 28′ take a photo at the end of the clinic with the tennis athletes.

All photos were taken by Marlow Rogers 27′

National Girls & Women in Sports Day Clinic: Expanding Opportunities for Girls in Ojai

In February, Way to Play hosted a special clinic in recognition of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, dedicating an afternoon to empowering young female athletes through sport. Approximately 10 girls from the Ojai community attended the hour-and-a-half clinic, which was intentionally designed to encourage confidence, exploration, and inclusion. With a 2:1 athlete-to-coach ratio, each participant received individualized attention and meaningful mentorship throughout the event.

Coaches Gina Li 27′ and Kea Woltag 28′ give tips on improving shot form to gain more power when shooting.

Unlike our traditional single-sport clinics, this event offered three different sports — basketball, soccer, and tennis — and allowed participants to rotate freely between them during the 90-minute session. The goal was to eliminate pressure and give girls the freedom to try something new in a supportive environment. By allowing open rotation, athletes could step outside their comfort zones, discover new interests, and build confidence in multiple athletic spaces rather than feeling locked into one choice.

Each station emphasized foundational skill development while keeping the atmosphere energetic and welcoming. On the basketball court, participants worked on ball-handling control, layup technique, defensive positioning, and small-sided scrimmages. Notably, Lachlan Chow 27′ has volunteered at every Way to Play clinic that has offered basketball, continuing to provide consistent mentorship and leadership for younger athletes interested in the sport. On the soccer field, players practiced dribbling combinations, passing sequences, and finishing drills. On the tennis courts, athletes were introduced to proper forehand and backhand technique, rally fundamentals, and beginner serving form — with several girls trying tennis for the very first time.

The impact of the clinic extended beyond the court and field. Parents expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity, noting how limited accessible girls’ sports programming can be in Ojai. One parent shared, “I am so glad that you guys did this. It is very hard to get my daughter to try a new sport but she seemed pretty excited to try tennis for the first time today. Maybe because she was with her friends, but I don’t know. It is hard to find many opportunities like this in Ojai, especially in girls’ sports.” Feedback like this reinforced Way to Play’s mission to create low-barrier, welcoming entry points into athletics for young girls in the community.

By the end of the clinic, every participant had rotated through multiple sports, built new skills, and shared in a positive team environment. The energy throughout the afternoon was high, and we were able to capture action shots that reflect both the joy and confidence of the athletes. Way to Play remains committed to expanding inclusive athletic opportunities in Ojai, and this National Girls & Women in Sports Day clinic marked another meaningful step toward that goal.