When you think of football, you probably don't think of 3-year-old girls jumping through tires and working on their spiral. And that's exactly why one Fishkill mom founded the Pigskin Princess Project. Briggette Sayegh has more.
FISHKILL, N.Y. -- It's that time of year -- Sunday football. And one group of girls is not taking the start of the season lightly.
The Pigskin Princess Project kicked off their fall season on Sunday. The group,now in its second year, is designed for little girls ages three through eleven. Founder Laura Bagnarol says the goal is a simple one: to teach girls that they can do anything they set their mind to.
"It's really to remind girls to never let their gender inhibit them from trying something new or from trying something that the culture might label masculine or not feminine," said the mom and social worker.
And so, armed with eye black and big smiles, the girls get put through the ringer. As their brothers look on, with a mixture of jealousy, and pride.
"I feel like they can do just about anything they want. They're not limited to just what girls should do or just what boys should do," said Matthew Fitzgerald, whose twin daughters play on the team.
It's not all games though. Bagnarol makes it a point during each practice to highlight a so called "strong woman," -- giving the pigskin princesses motivation and hope for a future without limitations based on gender.
And as for whether the classes pay off:
"I think my daugher is better at football than my son right now. So i'm thrilled," admitted Catherine Fury.
Strides are being made on a professional level. The NFL will see it's first ever female referee on the field this year. But Bagnarol believes there's much more to be done.
"The culture is tough on girls. It's really about what's on the outside and not so much what's on the inside. So we're trying to fight against all that," Bagnarol said.