Members of the Indianola fourth grade basketball team were recently asked in what they think it means to “play like a girl” in sports. Simpson College Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Moran Lonning tells KNIA News said comparing an athlete playing a sport to “playing like a girl” has been an insult, meant as demeaning, that you weren’t worthy enough to play with “the guys”, or that girls sports were somehow not as good or meaningful. Lonning also said what she and other coaches are seeing from younger girl athletes, and what they are trying to instill, is a change in mentality.

“Through my camps that i’ve been doing at Simpson, I’ve gotten to know a ton of little girls who have just this feisty, fiery, bold, brave attitude that I love. I think more girls need to be embracing that attitude, and that adults, parents, and coaches need to be instilling those types of qualities in girls.”

Look below to see a video of the responses from the fourth grade team, and for more information tune in to today’s Let’s Talk Indianola.