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The Women’s Gridiron Foundation offers football program start-up guidance / resources, clinics, and unique events that aim to close the gender gap in the sport of American football. We educate, connect and empower young women around the world to a place of greater self-worth and confidence ,while simultaneously increasing awareness of, and participation in, the women’s game on a global scale.
We believe that participation in sport is an essential vehicle through which effective life skills can be learned.
When a safe, supportive space is created in which females of all ages can learn this incredible game, they will not only show up, but be empowHERed for having done so!
About Women’s Gridiron Foundation’s Executive Director, Dana Sparling:
The game of football has held my heart since I was a little girl. My journey in and around this game has included playing both flag and women’s tackle, coaching, operations management and leading organizations.
Since 2001, I have been dedicated to creating safe and supportive spaces in which girls and women of all ages can learn the game of football as well as play, coach, officiate and start teams and leagues.
I have lived in the New York / New Jersey area since 1990, originally hailing from Southern California where I grew up attending USC Trojan football games with my family. My grandfather, Raymond C. Sparling, played split end on the National Championship winning Trojan team in 1931. I suspect my love for the game might be in the blood. Turning that love into “doing good” and effecting positive change for girls and women around the game is work that I will do for the rest of my days.
Also a breast cancer survivor, I’m very proud to be surrounded by an incredible network of Survivor Sisters. As women, I believe that we ALL become stronger when we work together, support and celebrate each another!!
I am thrilled and excited to be a member of Her Soul Shot and look forward to supporting and celebrating all of you!
The Fins Up! Foundation for Female Athletics was established in 2003 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, by Andra Douglas, owner of the New York Sharks Women’s Professional Football Team. Her intention was to provide the opportunity for under served and “at-risk” girls under the age of 18 to learn the sport of football, coached by her players from the Sharks.
Since 2003, the Fins Up! Foundation has produced football clinics and camps for young girls in the New York Metro area. The camps have provided safe, fun and positive learning environments in which hundreds of girls have learned not only how to play football, but the essential “life skills” that come along with participating in them. Through our staff of energetic and seasoned leaders, the foundation has taught the concepts of teamwork, sportsmanship, respect (of oneself and others), and the benefit of maintaining a positive attitude.
In 2015 the Fins Up Foundation merged its programs and goals with a group founded by Rich Daniel and the Women’s Gridiron foundation was formed. In doing so, our intention is to expand the unique Fins Up! Football Camps in cities across the country and the world, as well as offer additional programs to empower and support young girls both on and off the field of play. Our core values determine how we work with one another as we serve, partner and collaborate.
