4 DMV Teams United In Mission To Eliminate Barriers For Girls In Sports

The 50th anniversary of Title IX, the historic legislation that changed women’s sports, is coming up June 23rd. Leveling the Playing Field and four women’s teams in the D.C. area are partnering to positively impact the next 50 years of Title IX.

The Washington Coalition of Women’s Professional Sports (WCWPS) has the mission “to purposefully and significantly impact the Greater Washington community by connecting the region’s women’s professional sports teams through service-focused collaboration, the coalition is the first joint effort across these select teams”, per today’s release.

“We are beyond thrilled to play a role in building this coalition of phenomenal women’s professional sports teams here in the DMV region,” said Kaitlin Brennan, Director of Operations at LPF.

“The District of Champions loves our women’s sports teams, and now we also look forward to celebrating and uplifting this coalition,” said DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The coalition includes 2019 WNBA champions the Washington Mystics, 2021 NWSL champions the Washington Spirit, back-to-back women’s football champions (2015-16) the D.C. Divas, and the D.C. Shadow of the Premier Ultimate League.

“We’re honored to partner alongside our fellow women’s sports teams here in Washington, DC and to rally together for such an important cause,” said Alycen McAuley, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Washington Mystics. “If we can remove just one of the many barriers that stop girls from continuing their sport participation, we can foster more of the women leaders of tomorrow.”

“We know that when women lead, our communities succeed. And when women come together to lead, we become a powerful driving force for impact, equity, and access.” Rich Daniel, Owner and Team President of DC Divas said: “I can’t imagine a better time for us to team up for the greater good. As we approach the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the coalition can now begin its work on leveling the playing field for generations to come.”

“We are so excited about what we are building together through this coalition,” said Zoe Wulff, Community Relations Manager for the Washington Spirit. “We all have a shared interest in further elevating the local community here in DC, and furthering the positive impact women’s sports have within the region and the industry as a whole.”

“DC Shadow is thrilled to partner with other local women’s professional sports teams to support and bring focus to women’s sports, as well as collaborate on important community initiatives,” said DC Shadow head coach Sam Broaddus. The Shadow have already partnered with LTP to distribute sporting equipment in the Capitol region.

The WCWPS will engage in service initiatives to provide resources to the women’s sports community in the DMV area. Their first initiative will be in partnership with Level the Playing Field and focus on a sports bra collection drive with the goal of collecting 5,000 donated bras.

The WCWPS will hold a press conference prior to the Spirit’s home match on Wednesday, March 30 at Audi Field. Brennan and executives from all four organizations will be present.

As I often say, I love a strong crossover! I look forward to what this and similar partnership yield for the future of women’s sports.