Feb. 18--CHAPEL HILL -- It took several tries, but Anna Gibson volleyed a volleyball for the first time.
"She's going to be a natural athlete," said her mother, Melody Gibson.
After a few minutes, 3-year-old Anna raced to try her hand at another sport at UNC's Youth Health and Fitness Fair, organized by UNC Athletics and UNC Family Medicine.
The fair, held in recognition of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, aimed to promote healthy eating and living by exposing children and parents to a variety of activities and sports.
The afternoon culminated with watching the UNC women's basketball team beat Florida State University or the women's lacrosse team win over Loyola University.
"I hope the kids watch the girls play and get enthused about athletics and the university," said Gary Davis, who brought his 4- and 5-year-old children to the fair.
The youth fair has been held for several years, and has gotten bigger each year.
This year, more people attended and more volunteers from UNC athletic teams and area sports and fitness programs attended, said Rick Steinbacher, UNC's associate athletic director for sports marketing.
"Kids today have forgotten what it's like to go outside or into a gym and do something active," he said. "I hope they'll come out here and see a sport they want to learn and try. That way they'll spend that extra hour or two being active."
Unlike adults, children don't get frustrated with the sport when they don't get it on the first, second, third or umpteenth try, said Megan Owens, outside hitter on the UNC volleyball team.
"They're just here to have fun," she said. "I love seeing the smiles on their faces."
Fun is definitely important. But many of the parents want their young daughters exposed to female athletes and role models.
Will Johnson, who brought his 9- and 7-year-old daughters and 4-year-old son, said he appreciates that the female student athletes volunteered their time to "throw around balls to 6- and 7-year-olds."
"[The volunteers] are the reason that the kids are having so much fun," he said.
One of the reasons Owens volunteered was to show young girls that they can be athletes.
"Sometimes it feels like younger girls don't realize they have the opportunity to become athletes and get involved," Owens said.
The best part of the day for Jahna Davis, 4, was getting her face painted with UNC's logo. However, she has higher goals when she gets older.
"You know what I'm going to be when I grow up?" she asked. "A basketball player."
Playing for North Carolina, of course.
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