WHY PUT YOUR DAUGHTERS IN SPORTS?

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Years ago, a post made the rounds that stuck with us. It was a mom’s reflection on why she spent so much time and money on her kids’ sports. Not for the trophies. Not for the scholarships. But for the real benefits—the resilience, discipline, teamwork, and confidence that shape young women into leaders.

At SHE’S GOT NEXT, we know what an investment in girls’ sports can do. We see it in the Olympians, student-athletes, and business leaders we connect with every day. We see it in the women who juggle training, school, and life—and still show up for their teammates. We see it in the women running businesses, nursing a kid with the stomach flu at 3 a.m., and still dialing into the morning Zoom.

In the ones who push through exhaustion, self-doubt, and setbacks—because sports taught them how.

So, when we invest in girls’ sports, what are we really paying for?

For the moments when she wants to quit but doesn’t.
For the time she’s too tired to train but goes anyway.
For the discipline to show up, the confidence to speak up, and the resilience to push through.
For the friendships, the memories, and the belief that she belongs—on the field, in the boardroom, wherever she chooses to lead next.

But beyond that, we’re investing in something even bigger: human connection. In a world where it’s easier than ever to stay behind a screen, sports pull us into real life. They teach young women to look each other in the eye, take instruction, give direction, and stay present. To win and lose together. To communicate, adapt, and keep going—even when things get hard.

And when women rise, families, communities, and economies rise with them.

Women’s success has a ripple effect—lifting up those around them, creating opportunities, and building stronger, more connected communities. We also know that mental health is precarious, and too many young people are struggling. But sweat, community, and belonging? They help. Being part of something bigger than yourself helps.

We’re social beings. We thrive when we have purpose, when we move our bodies, and when we’re surrounded by people who push us and believe in us. So yes, put your daughters in sports. Invest in their futures. Invest in their mental health, their confidence, and their ability to navigate this world with strength and connection.