National Women and Girls in Sports Day

National Girls & Women in Sports Day is both a celebration and a call to action. Women make up nearly half of all athletes, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in sports leadership roles, including athletic directors, coaches, and executive positions. At the high school and collegiate levels, women hold only a small percentage of athletic director and head coaching roles, with even fewer opportunities available to women of color. Increasing representation in sports leadership matters—not only for equity, but because diverse leadership creates stronger, healthier athletic programs and more positive experiences for student-athletes.

Women’s sports have also long been a place of belonging and visibility for LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches, and leaders, making inclusion an essential part of the conversation about access and opportunity in athletics. Inclusive athletic environments improve athlete well-being, retention, and performance while fostering cultures rooted in respect, safety, and authenticity. On National Girls & Women in Sports Day, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing gender equity, inclusive leadership, and safe spaces in sports—because the future of athletics depends on leadership that reflects the diversity of the athletes and communities it serves.