Pro Sports Assembly’s Post

The Women's Sports Foundation has issued a new report titled "Play to Lead: The Generational Impact of Sport on Women’s Leadership." "This new report is a groundbreaking study that reveals the cross-generational impacts of girls’ and women’s sports participation on leadership. The research illuminates the skills, traits, and experiences developed through youth sports and how they connect to leadership outcomes in adulthood. With survey respondents ranging in age from 20 to 80 years old, the research also provides insight into the shifting barriers to sports participation for girls and women across the generations, and the impacts of Title IX." https://lnkd.in/gNPZ8gFQ #womenssports #girlssports #womenathleteslead #girlathletesbecomeleaders

Starting in the 2024-2025, each WIAA District Board will include a BIPOC At-Large position (not official, but putting the energy out there) ensuring representation from the BIPOC Committee on every WIAA District Board. This initiative aims to foster inclusivity and diversity within the governance of athletic programs at the district level. By having a BIPOC Committee Representative on each board, we enhance opportunities for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, ultimately working towards a more equitable athletic environment for all. Join us as we continue to drive positive change and promote diversity in athletics. Our BIPOC Committee at WIAA is paving the way for inclusive leadership in athletics! Established in 2021 our committee addresses the need for greater BIPOC representation at both district and state levels. We provide a platform for BIPOC Athletic Leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering collaboration and innovation through monthly meetings. Together, we tackle pressing issues faced by BIPOC communities in athletics, ensuring our programs are responsive to diverse needs. Our goal? To create a supportive environment where BIPOC Athletic Leaders shape the future of athletics, promoting equity, representation, and cultural responsiveness. #BIPOCLeadership #InclusiveAthletics #DiversityandInclusion #BIPOC

We've recently witnessed yet another inspiring demonstration of breaking gender norms in the realm of sports 🏀, embodied by the remarkable talent of Caitlin Clark. It's often easy to get caught up in debates over championship titles, overlooking the profound impact that athletes have beyond statistics and accolades. In Caitlin Clark's illustrious collegiate career at Iowa, her influence transcended mere numbers. With a remarkable postseason record of 25-4, including an impressive 16-1 streak over the last two seasons, Caitlin led her team to unprecedented success. From clinching three consecutive B1G titles to smashing individual tournament records for points, assists, and 3-pointers, her legacy is etched in the annals of basketball history. But Caitlin's impact extends far beyond the court. Her stardom elevated the Women's Tournament to must-watch television, driving record-setting TV viewership and an upswing in ticket prices. Even hip-hop icon Ice Cube recognizes her star power, offering a lucrative $5M deal to play in the Big3 League. As Caitlin Clark bids farewell to her collegiate career, her potential to revolutionize the WNBA looms large. Much like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird transformed the NBA in the early 80's, Caitlin's influence could reshape the landscape of women's basketball, drawing in new fans and revitalizing the league. While some may argue that a National Championship title is the ultimate validation of greatness, Caitlin's legacy speaks for itself. Her extraordinary achievements and unparalleled passion for the game transcend any single accolade. Let's celebrate greatness in all its forms and recognize Caitlin Clark as an inspiration not just for women, but for everyone, proving that with skill, determination, and unwavering passion, anything is possible. 🌟 #CaitlinClark #BasketballGreatness #BreakingGenderNorms #LegacyInProgress.

I'm so proud of the work Athlete Ally is doing to champion the rights of all athletes to play the sport that they love. It's ironic that the paternalistic talking points of "it's not fair to women" seem to resonate far more than data and research on trans inclusion in sport, and on real barriers to women's athletic performance and participation. Athletes, scholars, researchers, equality organizations are all calling upon the NCAA to embrace inclusion - - and use facts and scientific research as the basis for their policy toward trans inclusion in sport. Here's what 400+ Olympians, paralympians, professional and college athletes said in their letter: "As athletes, we have dedicated our lives to sports. Sports have given us our greatest friends, taught us incredible life lessons, and given us the confidence and drive to succeed in the world. We know that the value of sport goes far beyond the playing field. Sport allows people to develop a sense of self and identity and to reflect what we value as a community. Sport is a tremendous enabler of physical and mental health, teaches valuable lessons on teamwork and discipline, and has brought us lifelong community. Every single student should have access to the lifesaving power of sports. " Please read these compelling letters in the post below and message me if you'd like more information or the opportunity to discuss and learn more.

Role models of the future: Future Leaders in Football created a safe space for young female #leaders in sports. They learn how to manage teams and solve conflicts among other things. At the same time, they foster #GenderEquality in sports organisations. Find out more about the regional diversity and the range of topics Sport for #Development has to offer: https://lnkd.in/ePizM5C6 Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) DFB

Thierry Henry’s critique of the lack of improvement gains further weight when considering that MLS has historically struggled with player development, particularly for American talent. Many MLS clubs don’t prioritize playing homegrown players, focusing instead on international players or fading stars. Additionally, the U.S. soccer system often draws from a pool of privileged kids in pay-to-play systems, which excludes many talented players from less affluent backgrounds. Unlike many countries with robust community pathways and grassroots scouting, U.S. Soccer lacks a strong infrastructure to identify and nurture talent from diverse communities. This system limits the potential talent pool, leaving many promising American players without a clear path to professional soccer. Henry’s comments highlight the need for MLS to rethink its development strategies, focusing on more inclusive and effective ways to develop and elevate more American players.

Last night, I watched the Walter Cup-clinching game of the inaugural PWHL Finals. In between bouts of tears (the puck on the bottom of the trophy shattering the glass ceiling did me in) I thought a lot about the difference between diversity, inclusion, and equity. The fight for equitable representation (and pay) for professional women's sports has been long and messy. Watching Billie Jean King co-present the Walter Cup to Minnesota Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield hammered home how far we've come and how far we have to go. Since Kristen and I teach and train about DEI all the time, let's have a refresh. Diversity is reality: what we mean by this is that diversity of humans cannot be a goal, because diversity already exists. Therefore, inclusion is the goal. Inclusion is what happens when you create space, opportunities, and platforms for every kind of human. Diversity is having women's hockey teams. Women are athletes, women love hockey, and women love to play hockey. Inclusion is what we witnessed in this first season of the PWHL. Watching professional and PAID women hoist a championship cup over their heads, skating around the ice, and kissing it before handing it off was the perfect visual of what inclusion looks like. Equity is a long way away for professional women's sports. But if the WNBA, the NWSL, and the PWHL have shown is that inclusion is possible. It is achievable. And to those who it matters, it's damn profitable too. As a hockey fan since birth, I'm only delighted to live in a world where young aspiring hockey players (of any gender) will see the continued success of the PWHL. And hopefully see what's possible for them too. (Photo: Kendall Coyne Schofield hoisting the Walter Cup - photo credit to PWHL) #TheGoodDoctors #ladieswholead #inclusion #diversity #equity #leadership

More good news for #womenssports and #womenssoccer!

🥇Meritocracy vs Mediocrity🥉 As the world comes together to celebrate the Olympic Games, we are reminded of the essence of human achievement, excellence and the relentless pursuit of greatness. The Olympic Games are not merely a showcase of athletic prowess; they embody the spirit of meritocracy – a system where individuals are rewarded based on their abilities, effort and achievements. However, in recent years, there has been a growing trend in schools and communities to de-emphasise competition, with some advocating for participation trophies and awards for everyone, regardless of performance. This shift raises important questions about the impact of such practices on individuals and society as a whole. In this blog post I talk about the negative impact of downplaying competition and address common objections from those who are too uncomfortable to disappoint their children. Sign up to join my online Get Up and Grow community for FREE to read the full article at https://lnkd.in/dC5JF6Ux #meritocracy #mediocrity #resiliense #lifeskills #competition #getupandgrow with #sintaebersohn