Dragonwing Blog
4 Tips Every Young Athlete Should Know for Staying Hydrated
After a long, cold winter just about everywhere in the US, what a relief it is to have warmer weather and longer days. Practices and games that occur during the heat of the day can bring the risk of dehydration, especially for young athletes.
Staying hydrated can help athletes feel and play their best. The U.S. Soccer Federation uses the acronym GOAL for its recommendations for youth athletes, parents, and coaches.
Get acclimated: Young athletes especially need to give their bodies time to adjust to higher, more humid temperatures. Wearing shorts, tops, and sports bras made of moisture-wicking fabric (not cotton) helps your body cool itself.
On-schedule drinking: Don’t wait until you feel thirsty. Increase how much you drink throughout the day, every day. Develop the habit of drinking a glass of water before you go to bed or when you get up in the morning. And be sure to drink before practice or a game, too.
Always bring a drink to practices and games. Stay away from caffeinated, so-called “energy” drinks that can cause health problems, especially in young people. To replace electrolytes after you finish playing, try chocolate milk, V-8 juice, or 100% fruit juice, which contains more carbohydrates, potassium, and nutrients than a sports drink
Learn the signs of dehydration: dizziness, nausea, chills, and unusual fatigue. If you experience any of these, stop playing, move to a cooler location, drink fluids, and – most importantly – notify a coach, parent, or other adult.
What you wear can help keep you cool, too. Dragonwing girlgear is made from fabric that wicks moisture so your body stays cooler. Check out our new Mesh Racer Sports Bra and Un-Dee Light Compression Shorts.
Are you ready for Spring Soccer Season
It’s mid February and the soccer club teams in North Carolina are gearing up for the spring season. Emails from coaches and team managers are starting again.
It’s time to organize.
Parents are going through soccer bags, looking at cleats, shin guards, practice t-shirts, and all the other items that will be worn. What still fits? What has been outgrown? Cold temperatures are still present. Does my daughter need another good item for layering? Wicking tops such as those available at Target or Khols provide a low cost solution – however, I am willing to spend a little more for better fit, comfort and performance after the multiple washes the top will undergo – so, I’m having my daughter try out the Chill Weight Long Sleeve Tee from Dragonwing girl gear. Okay, gear is accounted for a list made of new items to purchase.
Onto the next item – update the family calendar that is found on our refrigerator to remind us all where to be when.
Questions start with - when are practices, games and tournaments? Emails are probably received at least several times a week, roughly 2-3 times. The first one is typically a schedule for the week that consists of reminding the team what day of the week regular practice will be held and at what time and at what location. The next communication may be an update to any changes due to weather – say it rains and, at least in North Carolina, unless you are practicing on turf, rain often results in practice cancelations – the dense-clay-like soil can only absorb so much. And, then if there is a weekend game, a reminder email outlining day, time and location of game with specific instructions about getting to the field at least 30-45 minutes ahead of time.
Highly organized team managers tend to be the most effective with timely communications and incredible with follow up. I have always found that I have become very dependent on them – unless they tell me exactly when, where and what time – I’m scrambling.
Pressure on a team manager? – perhaps or rather, yes.
What tools exist to help team managers keep their team’s a well-oiled machine? Yes.
Many team managers may have their own approach; a system they have used based on previous management experience, relying on what’s worked and what has not. There are also online tools that help managers with centralization of information that includes a calendar of events, a way to send our automated emails to team members/parents – and a good example of such a tool is TeamSnap.com – an online tool to manage teams and/or groups. Features include creating team homepage, having a centralized location for contacts and a shared calendar. Start with a free subscription to figure out if it’s right for you.
I look forward to hearing how you start organizing for the new season – and if you have used any online tools that are particularly remarkable and why.
Good luck to all your teams this season.
Play Wedgie-Free & Without Distraction
Monica watched her 10-year old granddaughter on the softball field as she adjusted her uniform again and again, tugging at the bulky compression shorts that were bunching up under her uniform. The girl glanced around self-consciously each time to see if anyone noticed. "She was totally distracted by those shorts that just didn't fit properly," Monica told us a couple of weeks after buying a pair of our High-Rise Compression Shorts. Since she started wearing Dragonwing's spandex shorts under her softball pants, Monica's granddaughter "hasn't picked a wedgie!"
That's our goal: empower girls to play -- and be -- their best without being distracted by sports apparel that doesn't fit properly.Monica's granddaughter loves the way her compression shorts fit: stretchy enough to move with her but not bulky like her old shorts from a big-box store. And the mesh side panels and moisture-wicking fabric meant she stayed cool under her uniform. Now whenever they see another softball player tugging at her pants and picking at a wedgie, Monica and her granddaughter say, "That girl needs Dragonwing!"
Our First Instagram Contest!
We've just launched our first contest on Instagram!
Post a throwback sports picture of yourself, wearing Dragonwing girlgear or not (but we hope so), and tag @dragonwinggirl. We're posting each entry from our account, so our followers -- who've doubled in the past few days! -- can vote.
The photo with the most likes by Monday, August 11, will win a prize. Maybe one of our sports bras or compression shorts made just for tween and teen girls. Stay tuned.
Check out all the great photos that have been entered. It's that simple. Now, it's your turn!
5 Reasons Why Soccer Matters in the US
The US Men's World Cup run may be over, but that doesn't mean soccer will fall off the sports radar screen here in the US. Taking a contrary view to a recent Wall St. Journal piece on the inevitable US "soccer letdown" and even to the more hopeful Freakonomics podcast, here are 5 reasons why soccer will grow in popularity in the US: 1. Soccer is a global sport. Who better to embrace it than the US, a nation of immigrants and multinational individuals. We can cheer not only for our national team but those of our homelands, in my case, Italy. Or we can -- and do -- cheer for the teams of our temporarily adopted homes, places where we've lived briefly or for many years. If Hong Kong had a national team, I'd be a supporter, since I lived much of my early adult years there and it's my children's birthplace. 2. Soccer is intense, captivating, and exciting. Those who say it's too slow or boring to be popular here don't know what they're talking about. You want excitement? How about Tim Howard's amazing 16 saves. The final two minutes of a soccer game can be more intense than the 9th inning with two outs and the bases loaded. Take it from a lifelong Red Sox fan, what happens in the 9th inning can change the course of history. (As an aside, a 2010 Wall St. Journal study found that the average NFL game has a meager 11 minutes of action) 3. While there will always be individual star players, soccer is a team sport. No single player can carry a team for 90 minutes every game, and it'd be tough to build a franchise around a single player. The best teams depend on every player, not on a key player. 4. Some naysayers point to the "flops" as evidence that soccer players are too soft or that the game is not tough enough. Soft?! The level of conditioning necessary to run almost continuously for a full game is astounding. The precision, timing, and agility needed to play soccer are remarkable. 5. While the current World Cup is for men's teams, let's not forget the success of US women's soccer. The US Women's Team has won two World Cups -- yes, 2! Players like Mia Hamm, Cindy Parlow Cone (who's also Dragonwing girlgear's spokesperson) , Abby Wambach, Heather O'Reilly, Alex Morgan, and Brandi Chastain are role models for girls at all levels. Attendance at women's professional soccer league games is solid and growing, with sell-out crowds a regular occurrence for many teams.
Girls Rule: Sports Bra Anniversary
The sports bra will mark an anniversary of sorts on Thursday, July 10: 15 years after 20-year-old Brandi Chastain pulled off her jersey in celebration of her winning goal in the Women's World Cup and fell to her knees wearing her (plain black) sports bra and shorts.
Sports bras came into the public after that and today come in many styles and colors.
According to a history of the sports bra by Ladies Only Sports -- a fascinating read -- the first sports bra "prototype" was two jock straps sewn together. It's no stretch to say that the sports bra revolutionized women's sports, making it possible for women to play active sports without breast discomfort or injury. That's been great for women, but until recently, girls (pre-teens and teens) had been left behind - that's where Dragonwing girlgear comes in.
Despite the huge increase in girls' sports, no one was making quality sports bras designed to fit girls' bodies. Most young girls whose bodies are just beginning to developing have to wear multiple camisoles or t-shirts. Older girls are forced to look for small sizes in the women's section.
Enter Dragonwing girlgear, maker of athletic apparel -- sports bras, compression shorts, and sports camis -- designed just to fit tween and teen girls, ages 8-17. Our sports bras and camis are designed for girls at all stages of development.
Dragonwing products differ from others on the market in that they're made of high-quality fabrics that are meant for real athletes -- moisture-wicking, seamless and tag-free to prevent chafing -- and designed for movement without riding up.
Dragonwing girlgear sports bras give girls the fit, comfort, and performance needed to play their best, whether celebrating a game-winning goal, playing on a hot summer day, or changing jerseys on the sideline.
Sports bras came into the public after that and today come in many styles and colors.
According to a history of the sports bra by Ladies Only Sports -- a fascinating read -- the first sports bra "prototype" was two jock straps sewn together. It's no stretch to say that the sports bra revolutionized women's sports, making it possible for women to play active sports without breast discomfort or injury. That's been great for women, but until recently, girls (pre-teens and teens) had been left behind - that's where Dragonwing girlgear comes in.
Despite the huge increase in girls' sports, no one was making quality sports bras designed to fit girls' bodies. Most young girls whose bodies are just beginning to developing have to wear multiple camisoles or t-shirts. Older girls are forced to look for small sizes in the women's section.
Enter Dragonwing girlgear, maker of athletic apparel -- sports bras, compression shorts, and sports camis -- designed just to fit tween and teen girls, ages 8-17. Our sports bras and camis are designed for girls at all stages of development.
Dragonwing products differ from others on the market in that they're made of high-quality fabrics that are meant for real athletes -- moisture-wicking, seamless and tag-free to prevent chafing -- and designed for movement without riding up.
Dragonwing girlgear sports bras give girls the fit, comfort, and performance needed to play their best, whether celebrating a game-winning goal, playing on a hot summer day, or changing jerseys on the sideline.
Getting Girls Off the Sidelines & Into the Game
With much of the world's eyes and screens tuned in to the World Cup, Wall St. Journal reporter Patricia Kowsmann wrote powerfully about how girls in Brazil are often left on the soccer sidelines.
Her personal story of being bullied as a young girl for wearing boys' soccer cleats really hit home for me. It touched at the core of why I started Dragonwing girlgear.
The sad truth is that, for most girls who play sports, the only high quality clothing -- that wicks moisture and doesn't chafe -- is found in the boys' section. Or the women's section where sports bras don't fit girls.
All too often, girls are forced to choose between the right gear for their sport OR lower-quality apparel -- like a cotton bralette -- that isn't designed for playing sports.
Girls who play sports aren't "tomboys;" they're athletes and deserve to have comfortable, supportive clothing -- sports camis, compression shorts, and sports bras -- that helps girls play their best. That's what we do every day at Dragonwing girlgear.
NWSL Preseason Update
Spring is finally here and the NWSL inaugural season is just about ready to get underway. Teams are gearing up for the start of the season and Dragonwing girlgear is offering a unique perspective of the preseason of each NWSL team. Here is a team by team update:
Boston Breakers:
Update: U.S. national team members Heather O’Reilly and Sydney Leroux joined their new team on Wednesday March 20th, after competing with the national team in Portugal in the 2012 Algarve Cup. The WNT won 2-0 to Germany.
Since receiving their respective allocated players, the Breakers signed two discovery players: defender Julie King, who played for the Breakers last year in the WPSL elite league and Lisa Marie Woods. Discovery players are those who were not selected in the Supplemental Draft that was held on Feb. 8th. The two discovery players will join six other players who were selected in the supplemental draft as well as the six players allocated during the winter.
Other news: On March 18th, the team announced that they are partnering with the Andover Soccer Association (ASA) to launch the Boston Breakers Academy Program that will be “targeting players who need/desire extra development and advanced training to supplement what they do within their local community soccer program,” according to the press release from the NWSL news website.
First game: Sunday, April 14th vs. the Washington Spirit
Chicago Red Stars:
Update: The Red Stars have been busy since Day 1 updating their roster with four free agent signings since the allocation and college draft including midfielder Lori Chalupny, defender Taryn Hemmings, forward Ella Masar and midfielder Leslie Osborne. The team added some international players to the mix with defender Sonja Fuss and forward Inka Grings, both from Germany. Fuss and Grings will join their new team starting on May 20th and are the first German players to play in the NWSL. Preseason has delivered some bad news however as the Red Stars will be without star defender Amy LePeilbet for six to eight months due to a torn ACL in January.
Other news: Along with the Seattle Reign, the Red Stars completed the first ever trade in the NWSL, sending midfielder Keelin Winters to Seattle in exchange for a first round pick in the 2014 college draft with future considerations.
First game: April 14th at home vs. Seattle
Washington Spirit
Update: In gearing up for the season, the Spirit scheduled five preseason matches with some of the country’s top college programs, four of whom are in the ACC (Maryland, UNC, Duke, and UVA). The Spirit already defeated the Penn State Nittany Lions 1-0 on March 17th and will look to use these college friendly matches as a gauge for their preseason progress.
“We are thrilled at the chance to take on top quality college opponents as we gear up for the NWSL season,” Spirit head coach Mike Jorden said in an interview with NWSL news. “This marks an important step in our preseason preparations, and will be a great opportunity for fans to get a first look at their new team.”
Other news: The Spirit signed three additional draft picks-including MAC finalist Caroline Miller on March 8th. The team also signed Discovery player Domenica Hodak.
First game: April 14th, at Boston
FC Kansas City
Update: After holding an open tryout back in February, Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski and the “The Blues” have narrowed down their roster to 17, featuring some of the country’s top talents. Additionally, goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart, defender Becky Sauerbrunn, forward Lauren Cheney and midfielder Kristie Mewis were all named to the USWNT Algrave cup team
Other News: The team welcomed Title Boxing as it’s official sponsor and will feature the company’s logo on the players’ jerseys.
First game: Will play host to the Portland Thorns in the first inaugural game of the NWSL season on April 13th.Portland Thorns
Update: The Thorns signed their two discovery players- forward Danielle Foxhoven and defender Jazmyne Avant. The team opened training camp on March 11th with an opening roster of 27, but will have the cut six players by April 5th to meet the roster cap at 21. According the Thorns’ website, head coach Cindy Parlow Cone said, “This is a pretty select group that we have here right now,” Cone said. “I was able to invite in 32 players and I didn’t for a reason. I wanted it to be a select group with quality all the way through. … Just about every player on the roster (not including goalkeepers) will have to be able to play multiple positions.”
Other news: In January, forward Alex Morgan led the way for the USWNT in their Algrave Cup victory against Germany. Morgan scored the team’s only two goals in the match.
First game: April 13th at FC Kansas City
Sky Blue FC
Update: Sky Blue FC has been making a splash since the allocation by inking several quality players including Australian national team member Caitlin Foord. Foord joins forward Taylor Lytle as the team’s two discovery players. In addition, goalkeeper Jill Loyden broke her hand in a training session with the USWNT in Portugal in early March, prompting the team to sign Brittany Cameron, their second pick in the supplemental draft. Loyden will be out three to four months.
Other news: Former WPSL elite coach Erwin van Bennekom will join the coaching staff as an assistant coach and will co-head coach the club’s official reserves team, the Jersey Sky Blues.
First game: April 14th vs. the Western New York Flash
Western New York Flash
Update: Star forward Abby Wambach joined her new team on Wednesday, March 20th. She remains four goals behind Mia Hamm’s all-time record of 154 international goals. On March 18th, the Flash announced a 25-player preseason roster after signing five free agents including McCall Zerboni, Adriana Martín Santamaría, Brittany Taylor, Samantha Kerr and Sarah Huffman.
Other News: Wambach will be the only representative from the USWNT for the beginning of the season as midfielder Carli Lloyd broke her shoulder in the U.S match vs. Ireland. She will be sidelined for six to eight weeks but should only miss a small part of the season.
First game: April 14th at Sky Blue FC
Seattle Reign
Update: The Reign will be without goalkeeper Hope Solo who had successful surgery on her left wrist and will be recovering for four months. The team will be without forward Amy Rodriguez for the entire season as she announced in the winter she is pregnant with her first child. The Reign will also miss midfielder Megan Rapinoe, who will not report until June.
Other news: Rapinoe was named the Algrave Cup’s tournament MVP.
First game: April 14th at Chicago
Show Us How You Rock It!
Girls and Parents! Show us how you rock it! Send us a photo of your favorite climb — and you could win * Dragonwing™ girlgear capris and a two hour parent daughter lesson at Triangle Rock Club! Everyone who enters wins a 15% off coupon for purchases on the Dragonwing™ girlgear website and a coupon for a parent/daughter day pass combo for only $19 – $8 off regular price – at Triangle Rock Club!
Together these are a $150 value!
To enter, share your photo on Instagram and either the Triangle Rock Club or Dragonwing™ girlgear Facebook pages with the tag #DragonwingRockOn.
Official Rules for the Triangle Rock Club Dragonwing™ girlgear Giveaway Contest
No Purchase Necessary. A Purchase will not Increase Your Chances of Winning.
1. Eligibility: The Triangle Rock Club Dragonwing™ girlgear Giveaway Contest (the “Contest”) is only open to legal residents of the United States who are at least eight (8) years old. Employees of Triangle Rock Club and Dragonwing™ girlgear, their parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and household members of each such employee, are not eligible to enter.
2. Sponsor: The Contest is sponsored by Triangle Rock Club and Dragonwing™ girlgear, (the “Sponsor”), located at 102 Pheasant Wood Ct Morrisville, NC 27560 and 510 Meadowmont Village Circle Suite 188, Chapel Hill NC 27517. The Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and/or any other social media website or platform on which it may appear. Any questions, comments, or complaints regarding the Contest should be directed to the Sponsors.
3. Agreement to Official Rules: By entering the Contest, you indicate your full and unconditional agreement to, and acceptance of, (a) these Official Rules and (b) Sponsors’ decisions regarding the Contest, which are final and binding. Winning the prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.
4. How to Enter: To enter: (1) Take a picture of your favorite climb; (2) upload your picture on your Instagram or Twitter account using the hashtag #DragonwingRockOn. Only nominations received between 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 7, 2013 and 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21, 2013 (the “Entry Period”), will be eligible. Sponsors’ computer is the official time-keeping device for the Contest.
5. Content Requirements: Your Entry must not: (a) violate any third party rights, including, but not limited to, copyrights, trademark rights, or rights of privacy and publicity; (b) contain defamatory statements; (c) include threats to any person, place, business, or group; (d) be obscene or indecent; (e) depict any risky behavior, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion; (f) contain any third party trademarks or logos; and (g) have been entered in any other contest or have been published or distributed in any other media. Sponsor reserves the right to refuse to post any Entry for any reason
6. Entrant’s Warranties and Representations: By submitting an Entry, you warrant and represent that: (a) the Entry is an original work created solely by you for entry in the Contest; (b) you own all rights to the Entry; (c) to the extent the Entry depicts any individual or features the voice of any individual, you are the individual pictured and heard in the submission, or, alternatively, that you have obtained written permission from each person appearing in the Entry to grant the rights to Sponsor described in the “Sponsors’ Rights to Entries” section below, and can make written copies of such permissions available to Sponsor upon request; and (d) the Entry complies with all requirements of these Official Rules.
7. Sponsors’ Rights to Entries: By participating, you: (a) irrevocably grant Sponsors, their agents, licensees, and assigns the unconditional and perpetual (non-exclusive) right and permission to reproduce, encode, store, copy, transmit, publish, post, broadcast, display, publicly perform, adapt, modify, create derivative works of, exhibit, and otherwise use your Entry as-is or as-edited (with or without using your name) in any media throughout the world for any purpose, without limitation, and without additional review, compensation, or approval from you or any other party; (b) forever waive any rights of copyrights, trademark rights, privacy rights, and any other legal or moral rights that may preclude Sponsors’ use of your Entry, or require any further permission for Sponsors to use the Entry; and (c) agree not to instigate, support, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against Sponsors on the grounds that any use of the Entry, or any derivative works, infringes any of your rights as creator of the Entry, including, without limitation, copyrights, trademark rights, and moral rights.
8. Selection of Potential Winner: After the Entry Period, the Sponsors will evaluate all Entries and select one (1) potential winner based on the following Judging Criteria: originality and creativity. If the Sponsors suspect any fraud, tampering, or any activity that the Sponsors believe may impair the integrity of the entry process, the Sponsors may, in its sole discretion, select an additional potential winner.
9. Notification and Requirements of Potential Winners: Sponsor will attempt to notify the potential winner within one (1) business day of the date of selection. Except where prohibited, a potential winner may be required to complete and return an affidavit of eligibility, a liability/publicity release, and a release in which he/she irrevocably assigns and transfers to Sponsors any and all usage rights, title, and interest in Entry, including, without limitation, all copyrights and trademark rights, and waives all moral rights in the Entry. If a potential winner is a minor, his/her parent or legal guardian will be required to sign the documents on his/her behalf. If a potential winner fails to sign and return these documents within the required time period, an alternate potential winner may be selected in his/her place according to the Judging Criteria. Only three (3) alternate potential winners may be contacted.
10. Prize: One (1) winner will be selected. The winner will receive a Dragonwing™ girlgear Chill Weight Capri and a free two hour training session at Triangle Rock Club. The approximate retail value of the prize is $160. A winner is responsible for paying any applicable income taxes and any and all other costs and expenses not listed above. Any prize details not specified above will be determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion. A prize may not be transferred and must be accepted as awarded. You may not request cash or a substitute prize; however, Sponsors reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason, as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion.
11. General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, Sponsors may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prize according to the Judging Criteria from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. Sponsors reserve the right in their sole discretion to disqualify any individual they find to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, Sponsors reserve the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. Failure by Sponsors to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. Proof of sending any communication to Sponsors by mail shall not be deemed proof of receipt of that communication by Sponsors. In the event of a dispute as to any online entry, the authorized account holder of the email address, Twitter Handle, or other user name used to enter will be deemed to be the participant. The Contest is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.
12. Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Contest, you agree to release and hold harmless Sponsors, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and/or any other social media website or platform on which the Contest may appear, their respective parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents (the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone, or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize. You further agree that in any cause of action, the Released Parties’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Released Parties be liable for attorney’s fees. You waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.
13. Privacy and Publicity: Any information you submit as part of the Contest is provided to the Sponsors, and not to Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or any other social media site or platform on which the Contest may appear, and it will be used for purposes of this Contest and treated in accordance with Sponsors’ Privacy Policy. Except where prohibited, participation in the Contest constitutes an entrant’s consent to Sponsors’ use of his/her name, likeness, voice, opinions, biographical information, and state of residence for promotional purposes in any media without further payment or consideration.
14. Disputes: Except where prohibited, you agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the appropriate court located in North Carolina. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, your rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of Sponsors in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of North Carolina, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of North Carolina or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than New York.
15. Results: To request a winners list, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Dragonwing™ girlgear Social Media Department, 510 Meadowmont Village Circle, Suite 188, Chapel Hill NC 27517. Requests must be received by March 25, 2013.
Play Safe in the Heat by Dr. Lindsay Di Stefano
As temperatures rise, it is critical that athletes of all ages follow some basic steps to stay safe in the heat
NWSL Season Update
The first four weeks of the National Women’s Soccer League has been absolutely thrilling, with several players emerging as key components of their teams while others are still finding their stride. The updated standings are as follows (as of May 5)
- Portland Thorns FC: 3 wins, 1 tie (10 points)
- Boston Breakers: 2 wins, 1 tie (7 points)
- FC Kansas City: 2 wins, 1 tie (7 points)
- Sky Blue FC: 2 wins (6 points)
- Western New York Flash: 1 win, 1 tie, 2 losses (4 points)
- Washington Spirit: 2 ties, 2 losses (2 points)
- Seattle Reign FC: 1 tie, 3 losses (1 point)
- Chicago Red Stars: 1 tie, 2 losses (1 point)
Are Sport Drinks Really Good For You?
In part 2 of our feature of nutritionist Kenlyn Young, the topic of healthy sports drinks is brought into the discussion. Is just water sufficient for an athlete? What about sports drinks? Below, our featured blogger answers some of your most pressing questions about sports drinks.
"Staying hydrated is a critical component of exercise. Drinking 2-3 glasses of water several hours before exercise is a must. And of course, during as well. Thinking of grabbing a sports drink? Think again. For most people participating in a sporting activity, drinking water is absolutely adequate. Sports drinks do provide sodium, the electrolye that is lost during exercise, however along with the sodium comes sugar, artificial colors, and brominated vegetable oil, a known harmful product. Most individuals have more than enough sodium in their diets to compensate for exercise. However, if one feels the need to replenish electrolytes after exercise a much better choice than a sports drink is V-8, chocolate milk, or 100% fruit juice. Fruit juice contains more carbohydrate, potassium, and nutrients than a sports drink."
-Kenlyn Young