The $98 million Marvella women and girls sports complex planned for a location near Fair Oaks Farms is looking to capitalize off a boom in youth sports and encourage girls to stick with sports longer.

The sports complex, to be built off Interstate 65 in Newton County, aspires to be a national hub for women's and girls sports, Marvella Sports Founding Partner Lou Tilley said. It's looking to bring in athletes to train and tournaments from across the state and country.

About 50% of girls quit sports if they don't make elite travel teams, Tilley said. Marvella aims to keep them involved in sports even if they don't make the cut.

"Sports shouldn't just be for the elites," he said. "A lot of girls quit if they're not picked for travel clubs. Their bodies haven't even developed. They'll get s

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