The Dallas Wings take sport for girls seriously and are proud to announce a partnership with Nike, the WNBA and NBA for Season Two of Game Growers, a unique and empowering opportunity for girls 13 years or older in seventh or eighth grade to share their ideas on how to encourage more girls to play sports.
The Wings are one of 38 teams participating in the second season of the program. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 4 for two Co-Captains, who will lead the development of an idea to grow sports for girls. The Wings’ Game Growers team will develop and test their idea, creating a Game Plan to grow sports participation for girls right here in Dallas. New this season will be the addition of Game Growers Teammates, who are girls 13 years or older in seventh or eighth grade who support Co-Captains on their journey.
“Nike believes that girls who move, move the world. And we know that 13 is a critical age to keep girls engaged in sport so they can reap the benefits of being active,” said Caitlin Morris, General Manager of Social & Community Impact at NIKE, Inc. “This is the age when girls are likely to drop out of sport – a lack of supportive coaches or access to the right product to play with confidence are two of many reasons why. Inclusive, community-based programs like Game Growers connect girls to play and sport and provide them with the opportunity to shape the future of the game for other girls, too.”
“Ensuring girls are staying active and have the opportunity to participate in sports is vitally important,” stated Dallas Wings President & CEO Greg Bibb . “The Wings are proud to continue to partner with Nike on the Game Growers initiative. The work Peyton Cole and Kyra Anders did last year was invaluable to help inspire youth and we hope to continue to motivate girls in DFW so they can lead tomorrow.”
“My experience at game growers was overwhelmingly enjoyable experience,” Cole said. “Our project ‘United We Ball’ focused on helping young girls overcome the main issues causing girls to quit sports by providing adequate equipment, athletic gear and having them experience the fun in playing a variety of sports.”
“I encourage all girls age 14 to apply to be a part of this program,” Anders said. “It’s a great experience and allows you to interact, meet, and share the gift of sports with girls from around the country.”
By age 14, girls are dropping out of sport at twice the rate of boys. According to a 2018 study from the Women’s Sports Foundation, nearly 40 percent of girls don’t participate in sport, versus 25 percent of boys. Game Growers girls are already playing sports. By participating in the program, they not only have the potential for their ideas to get more girls playing, they also have the chance to grow their own leadership potential by developing ideas that make a difference in their community and having their voice heard.
Game Growers Timeline
- After the virtual launch event, girls can visit GameGrowers.com to sign-up. Applications for both Co-Captains and Teammates will be open until Dec. 4 at 11:59 p.m. PST at www.gamegrowers.com.
- Game Growers participants will be notified by Jan.15, 2021 and will earn a chance to develop their ideas to get more girls playing sports.
- These ideas – known as the Game Growers Game Plans – will be shared on the website in Spring 2021.
Season One Success
Game Growers projects in Season One embodied five key themes, which collectively create a sport environment where girls are included, valued and supported:
- CREATE CONNECTION: Promote teamwork, community and skill-building through sport without the need for a “winner.”
- BRAVE, NOT PERFECT: Build and instill confidence by learning the fundamentals of the game through compassion, creativity and risk-taking.
- GIRL CHECK: Empower girls to get involved through programs that focus on female mentorship and girls-only camps.
- LET HER COMPETE: Create diverse opportunities, including multi-sport clinics, co-ed and mixed-age group events, that empower girls to free their competitive drive.
- PROGRESS, NOT OUTCOMES: Support girls as they find ways to access resources that will break down barriers over time.