
The Duke Female Athlete Program (DFAP) recently celebrated its third year participating in the National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) event, partnering with Duke Athletics. Held at the iconic Cameron Indoor Stadium, the event brought together over 200 local girls and their families for a day filled with hands-on sports activities and inspiration.
Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC, NGWSD encourages young girls to explore sports, build confidence, and discover the joy of physical activity. Participants had the opportunity to try a variety of sports, from basketball to soccer, with guidance from Duke experts.

For DFAP members, the event provided a valuable chance to connect with the community and promote the program’s mission of empowering female athletes. Launched in 2022, the program is dedicated to supporting and providing resources for women in sports, helping them thrive both on and off the field.
“It’s incredible to see how this event continues to inspire and motivate young girls to stay active and pursue their love for sports,” said Jennifer Ketterly, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, associate director of Sports Performance and instructor in the Department of Orthopaedics at Duke. “It’s always a great opportunity to connect with these future athletes and share how we support female athletes at Duke and beyond.”
This year’s NGWSD event was a resounding success, and the DFAP team is proud to be part of such an important initiative. Their efforts will continue to help foster the next generation of strong, confident, and empowered female athletes.