How to Get Involved in Local and Global Initiatives Supporting Female Athletes (with Examples)

Some easy ways to get involved in local initiatives supporting female athletes include volunteering with women’s sports programs and leagues by coaching, managing, or funding them. You can also run sports drives, organize scrimmages for younger girls, or host girls-only sports clinics. Another way to get involved is by advocating for equal access to resources and funding for your local teams, and even supporting female athletes through social media platforms. Funding can be achieved through fundraisers like bake sales. This can also be done by following and amplifying the voices of female athletes or creating a platform dedicated to highlighting and elevating their stories. Some types of content you can post include game recaps, interviews, and athlete spotlights. Remember to always ask for permission before posting about others!

Some global initiatives and organizations that focus on supporting female athletes are the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), Women Sport International, and Women in Sports + Events (WISE). The Women’s Sports Foundation was one of the first sports organizations to recognize the connection between sports, equity, and society, similar to how both Women Sport International and WISE aim to bring positive change in the athletic world for girls and women by achieving higher representation and equity for women leaders in both the sports industry and in society. WSF specifically focuses on advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. Students can engage with WSF by applying for youth or community grants.

Women Sport International is a research-driven organization that emphasizes global collaboration to promote equity for women in sports, especially in underrepresented regions. Students interested in global policy or academic research can engage with Women Sport International by joining awareness campaigns or contributing to research initiatives. WISE centers its mission on empowering women who work in the business side of sports and events through leadership development and networking. Students can get involved by attending professional development webinars.

Other international movements that strive to create equality for female athletes include UN Women’s Empowerment, which promotes gender equity in all sectors of sports; the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sports as a tool for change; and the IOC’s Women in Sport, which aims to increase female participation and leadership in the Olympic movement. Students can engage with these initiatives by starting a local club or chapter aligned with their mission, joining online campaigns, or organizing events to raise awareness in their communities.