Philly Six Coaches To Hold Clinic For Young Women in South Philadelphia

(Guru's Note: The following announcement was received in an email Tuesday and the Guru is sharing now before the onslaught of March Madness coverage takes over much of the news. The release arrived the day before La Salle announced Tom Lochner would not be returning to the Explorers.)

PHILADELPHIA WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL COACHES TO CONDUCT FREE CLINIC FOR YOUNG FEMALE PLAYERS AND COACHES IN SOUTH PHILLY AND INTRODUCE PHILLY GIRLS GOT GAME INITIATIVE AT NEUMANN-GORETTI HIGH SCHOOL ON APRIL 24

The "Philly Six" women's Division I college basketball coaches will conduct a free three-hour clinic for South Philadelphia girls between the ages of 8 and 13, as well as for coaches and parents as part of a new initiative entitled Philly Girls Got Game at Neumann-Goretti High School on Saturday, April 24 from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

"We are excited about creating a new and exciting opportunity for young female basketball players in the city of Philadelphia," said Beth Devine, Director of Philly Girls Got Game's free clinic. "The more opportunities and support we can provide to a young girl, the more confidence she will gain as she matures. We are using basketball as our 'in-road' and we intend to grow this program to include health and wellness, self-assurance and positive guidance to these girls."

Philly Girls Got Game is a new initiative designed and committed to the development and improvement of the game of girls' and women's basketball. Through player development activities, as well as coaches' instruction and training, the group's objective is to introduce more girls to the game of basketball, provide them with the tools they need to improve their fundamental skills, allow them to enjoy the game with friends, and to achieve success both on and off the court.

The development of the Philly Girls Got Game program was inspired by Letty Santarelli, former collegiate basketball player and now a coaching parent in South Philadelphia, who has experienced first hand the great need for more trained coaches to develop young female basketball players.

"The wealth of talent and potential of young athletes in South Philadelphia goes untapped year after year because of the lack of resources trained coaches, organized programs and gym space," said Santarelli. "The long term goal of this program is to facilitate the growth of a young girl's confidence and character in all aspects of their lives using basketball as the vehicle."

Philly Girls Got Game will be conducting two clinics simultaneously – one for players and one for coaches – in South Philadelphia on Saturday, April 24. The Division I coaches who will run both clinics make up the "Philly Six", including Denise Dillon of Drexel University; Tom Lochner of LaSalle University; Mike McLaughlin of University of Pennsylvania; Cindy Griffin of Saint Joseph's University; Tonya Cardoza of Temple University; and Harry Parretta of Villanova University.

Girls between the ages of 8 and 14 can learn from the very best, as the players and coaches from The Philly Six will teach skill stations, run games, and have fun with the participants.

Coaches and potential coaches can learn how to run an effective practice, develop young players, and to be a successful girls' basketball coach.

Interested participants are encouraged to register in advance at www.PhillyGirlsGotGame.com or call 610-500-BALL or email info@phillygirlsgotgame.com for more information.

Philly Girls Got Game's clinic is sponsored in part by the Comcast Family of Companies, PECO Energy and Independence Blue Cross.