March is International Women’s Month, and at H.A.R.D. No. 1, we think the best way to honor that is to lace up, show up, and move.

Let's be honest. Life is full. Between work, kids, errands, and everything else demanding your attention, taking time for yourself can feel like the last thing on your to-do list. The gym membership you signed up for in January is already collecting dust. The walk you promised yourself keeps getting pushed to tomorrow.

Sound familiar? You are not alone, and you are not failing. You just need the right invitation.

This International Women’s Month, we are celebrating the women of Hammond who are choosing to move, compete, and show up for themselves. And we are inviting you to join them.

Why Women in Sport Matters More Than You Think

Get this. According to the National Recreation and Park Association's 2025 Youth Sports Report, girls make up 49 percent of the youth population in the United States. But they account for only 35 percent of participants in youth sports programs nationwide.

That gap does not just disappear when girls grow up. Many women who leave sports in their youth never fully come back. The National Recreation and Park Association found that the single biggest barrier keeping girls out of sports is not cost, not transportation, and not lack of interest.

The number one barrier to girls participating in sports is the lack of women role models in coaching and leadership positions.

71% of recreation agencies nationally identified this as the top obstacle. That is a powerful reminder that when women show up, whether as athletes, coaches, or simply someone lacing up for an evening run, they are doing more than taking care of themselves. They are sending a message to every little girl watching.

You can read the full NRPA report here.

What We Are Doing About It in Hammond

At H.A.R.D. No. 1, we believe access to sport should never depend on your age, your ability, or your schedule. That belief drives everything we do, from the youth programs we run for kids as young as 18 months to the adult offerings designed specifically for women who are ready to prioritize themselves.

Right now, we have two fun options to get you moving this spring.

ChaseHer Run Club: Run at Your Pace, With Your People

ChaseHer is our monthly run club for women who want to chase their fitness goals without the pressure. No time goals. No judgment. No registration fees. Just a group of women gathering at Chappapeela Sports Park to run, walk, and connect.

Whether you are training for your first 5K, pushing a stroller, or just want someone to walk the trail with, there is a spot for you here. Here is exactly what a ChaseHer meetup looks like:

• The Meetup: We gather at the Chappapeela Sports Park Trail Head at 6:00 PM. Look for the group of friendly faces in sneakers!
• The Intro: We do a quick welcome and share the route options.
• The Warm-Up: Before we hit the trail, we do a nice little warm-up to get the body ready.
• The Movement: Then we are off! Some run, some walk, some push strollers. The Chapp trail is a 1.5-mile loop, so feel free to go once or twice.
• The Connection: The best part? The conversations. We finish back at the Trail Head feeling better than when we started.

No registration. No fees. Just show up. We meet monthly at the Chappapeela Sports Park Trail Head at 6:00 PM. Days vary, so keep an eye on our events page for our next one!

Adult Co-Ed Sand Volleyball: Competitive Play, Laid-Back Vibes

Our Spring Adult Co-Ed Sand Volleyball league is exactly what it sounds like. 4v4, sand under your feet, and a community of adults who are here to compete and have fun. The league requires at least one woman on the court at all times, because we believe the game is better when women are in it.

Registration is open now. Whether you have a full team ready or you are signing up solo, there is a spot waiting for you.

Learn more here.

The Ripple Effect: When Women Play, Girls Follow

We want to take a moment to speak directly to the moms, aunts, grandmas, and women in our community who may not think of themselves as athletes.

The little girls in your life are watching you. In the best possible way.

When you show up to ChaseHer, your daughter sees you prioritizing your health. When you join a sand volleyball league, your niece learns that sports are not just for kids. When you volunteer as a coach, you become the role model that research tells us girls desperately need.

Girls who have women coaches and role models in sport are more likely to stay active as they grow up.

At H.A.R.D. No. 1, we are always looking for women who want to step into coaching roles across our youth programs, from soccer to softball to flag football. You do not need to be a former athlete. You need a willingness to show up and a love for kids. We will handle the rest. We provide you with coaching resources and support throughout the process!

If you are interested in volunteering or coaching, we would love to hear from you. Reach out to programs team at programs@playcsp.com or send us a message on social!

This Month, Give Yourself Permission

International Women’s Month is a time to honor the women who came before us and to invest in the ones who are still becoming. That includes you.

The trail is open. The sand is ready. The group is waiting.

Come run with us. Come spike a volleyball. Come show your daughter what it looks like when a woman decides she is worth showing up for.

She runs this. And so do you.

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