On May 13, 2025, City of Thunder Bay hosted the third annual INSPIRE – Sports and Health for Life event, offering Grade 8 girls a unique opportunity to explore various sports in a supportive environment.
Among the 18 activities presented, lacrosse stood out as a highlight, thanks to the enthusiastic involvement of Thunder Bay Lacrosse. The event aimed to address the concerning statistic that one in three girls drops out of sports by age 16, a figure exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. By introducing students to new sports and fostering a sense of community, INSPIRE 2025 sought to reignite interest and participation in physical activities among young girls.
Alyssa Piccolo, the President of our league led engaging mini games, helping students overcome initial nerves and embrace the sport’s dynamic nature. “Everyone kind of starts off a little bit nervous, but as soon as they get into the games and everything, they seem to open up a lot more,” Piccolo observed.
This hands-on experience not only introduced the fundamentals of lacrosse but also emphasized teamwork and confidence-building. The event’s success underscores the importance of providing inclusive and encouraging spaces for youth to discover and engage in sports. By spotlighting lacrosse and other activities, INSPIRE 2025 played a pivotal role in promoting physical and mental well-being among young girls in Thunder Bay. Thunder Bay Lacrosse will return to Lakehead University with the City of Thunder Bay to provide a secondary INSPIRE session due to it's success and interest.
For more details on the event and its impact, visit the full article here:
INSPIRE event provides safe space for youth to try new sports.
Additionally, you can watch a video recap of Alyssa speaking at the event here:
8th Grade girls participate in “Inspire Sports and Health for Life” event.