Here at Gurnee Park District, we take pride in being the first step toward a love for sports, especially in our young female athletes. With professional female athletes like Caitlin Clark, Alex Morgan, and Simone Biles making their mark, providing a variety of sports options to allow young girls to discover and identify their passions has never been more important. Through athletic programs such as basketball, soccer, t-ball, tennis, gymnastics, or dance, we aim to teach young girls not just the game or sport, but also the ability to dream big, whatever their interests may be.

And we are not alone. Gurnee Park District is proud to partner with our local high school, Warren Township High School (WTHS), to prepare aspiring female athletes for the next step in their athletic journeys. As community partners, we value the importance of championing our female athletes, from their first step on a court or field to the cheers of a high school gymnasium and beyond.

Jennifer Swanson, the WTHS Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach, knows the importance of girls’ sports. Swanson grew up playing many different sports, such as basketball, softball, soccer, and more since she was 4 years old. As she grew older, she continued her athletic journey, playing volleyball, basketball, and track at Oak Forest High School, and went on to play basketball at North Central College. “I wanted to be involved in as many sports as I could,” said Swanson. “I just loved to play.”

As this year’s new varsity head coach, Swanson brings her love for sports to center court, imparting the value of girl’s athletics to the Gurnee Community by emphasizing the essential skills sports teach to young female athletes, such as:

Self-Confidence and Perseverance: Participating in competitive sports teaches female athletes more than just a game. “Sports help to show young girls that they are capable of doing anything that they put their minds to,” shared Swanson. “This empowerment translates to increased confidence in their abilities to lead and make decisions in various aspects of their lives.”

Teamwork and Unity: Joining a team teaches young female athletes about cooperation, communication, and respect. “Learning how to work with others is very important for young female athletes,” emphasized Swanson. “It is a skill that will help them to be successful in the future.”

Determination: Facing and overcoming life’s challenges is a part of sports and beyond. “In my personal opinion, resiliency and determination are two of the most important qualities in order to be successful,” stated Swanson, “In life, there will always be challenges that hold you back from achieving everything you want in life, but when you are resilient and determined, you can push through those challenges.”

Lifelong Skills: No matter the sport, young female athletes are destined to learn more than just the skills of a game. “I believe that sports can teach many different qualities that will help young female athletes in the future,” said Swanson. “Some of the ones that I believe are the most important are patience, resiliency, discipline, time management, team work, and organization.”

How can young girls get started in their athletic journey? “My advice would be to get involved in as many sports/activities as possible at an early age,” noted Swanson. “Not only will it help you find what sports you are most passionate about, but it will also teach you different skills that will help make you more successful in the future.”

So, to every girl dreaming of her moment in the spotlight, and to every parent supporting that dream, Gurnee Park District, along with Warren Township High School, is ready to be with you every step of the way. Here’s to dreaming BIG.  

Please visit our websites for more information on our sports programs and how you can get involved.