February 5th is National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), an annual day of observance held during the first week of February.

 

NGWSD has a three fold purpose

• acknowledge the accomplishments of girl and women athletes,

• recognize the influence of sports participation for women and girls, and

• honor the progress and advocation for equality for women in sports.

At AYSO United Davis, we believe that keep girls playing involves fostering an inclusive environment starts with representation. When girls see women leading as coaches and referees, they see possibilities for themselves. That’s why we are intentional in our conversations and efforts to ensure that every player has relatable role models—leaders who inspire them to aim higher, play more, and believe in themselves on and off the field.

An exciting steps toward increasing participation of women coaches locally was launching the Women Coaches Group with Davis AYSO this past fall. In its first season, 55 women participated, coming together to share knowledge, support one another, and strengthen their leadership on the field. Overtime we hope to invest in and build a lasting network of women in coaching, creating a more inclusive and empowering space for future generations.

This year, we were proud to see young women like Sophia and Sofia stepping into coaching roles with Davis AYSO. Sophia, a former United player who grew up with the program and is now attending UC Davis, returned as a coach, giving back to the sport that help shape her. Sofia, a current United player, has already demonstrated incredible passion on the field, and now she’s channeling that energy to help guide younger players.

Their decision to become coaches reflects the shift we hope to see in the next generation—more women that step into leadership positions with confidence and community around them. Their journey marks a bright future for women in sports, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll have on their teams and our community.

Right now, about 1 in 4 volunteers with AYSO in Davis are women, but we continue to have the opportunity to change that. By increasing representation today, we set the stage for a generational shift—where more girls grow up seeing women in leadership roles, more young women step into coaching and refereeing, and the cycle of empowerment continues.

To all the Women of United—we see you, we celebrate you, and we are grateful for the impact you make every day. Your dedication strengthens United and paves the way for the next generation of women in sports.

 

Today, on National Girls & Women in Sports Day, you can help by recognizing and amplify the voices of women in our soccer community. Thank you for all you do!