Women's Sports Foundation

The Women's Sports Foundation Announces its 2023 Sports 4 Life Grant Recipients - Using the Power of Sport for Girls of Color to Play and Thrive

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 13, 2023

NEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) announced the 2023 grant recipients for the Sports 4 Life Program – a national initiative, co-founded with ESPN, and supported by Gatorade – that utilizes the power of sport to build a solid foundation for girls of color to thrive on and off the field of play. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024, this powerful initiative continues to fill in the gaps to access and opportunity to sport by increasing participation and retention of Black, African-American, Hispanic and Native American girls throughout the country. This year, a total of $280,000 has been awarded to 40 organizations – 27 of these organizations serving girls with disabilities – across 23 states, and Washington, D.C., helping to fuel and diversify sports opportunities for more than 5,300 girls across 25 traditional, non-traditional, and adaptive sports.

Key Points: 
  • This year's grant recipients cover a gamut of traditional, non-traditional and adaptive sports opportunities for girls, including basketball, volleyball, squash, figure skating, cheerleading, and more.
  • Seventeen of the 40 community organizations are new to Sports 4 Life funding - further expanding the reach of this powerful initiative.
  • "Sports 4 Life is a proven game changer that instills important life skills that transform young lives."
  • "Together, we've seen firsthand the power sport has to change lives, and we're energized to continue the work so more girls can get in the game."

Cracker Jill takes centre stage to celebrate how women in sports PLAY LOUD

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, August 24, 2023

TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Cracker Jack, an iconic Frito Lay Canada brand that has been synonymous with sports for over 100 years, is welcoming a new member to its roster, Cracker Jill, to celebrate the many faces of women transforming Canadian sports today.

Key Points: 
  • TORONTO, Aug. 24, 2023 /CNW/ - Cracker Jack, an iconic Frito Lay Canada brand that has been synonymous with sports for over 100 years, is welcoming a new member to its roster, Cracker Jill, to celebrate the many faces of women transforming Canadian sports today.
  • For a limited time, Canadians will be able to purchase three different Cracker Jill designs in retailers coast to coast.
  • Cracker Jill is part of a multi-year commitment appropriately named "PLAY LOUD", which uses the bold, joyful energy of Frito Lay Canada's iconic brands to amplify and celebrate Canada's world-class female athletes.
  • This latest partnership will allow us to inspire more girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life."

Frito-Lay Extends Sports Access for 50,000 Girls Nationwide

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 26, 2023

PLANO, Texas, July 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frito-Lay North America (Frito-Lay), a North American Tournament Supporter and the Official USA Snack of the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, today announced it is expanding its "All-In with Frito-Lay" initiative through a $400,000 contribution to the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), a national non-profit that expands access and opportunities for girls and women in sports so they can play, compete, and lead without barriers.

Key Points: 
  • We're continuing this legacy to help approximately 50,000 girls and women join and stay in sports," said Brett O'Brien, Chief Marketing Officer of Frito-Lay North America.
  • The 'All-In with Frito-Lay' initiative, established in 2022, is a three-year, $1 million commitment to increase equity in soccer.
  • Frito-Lay's donation to WSF will help girls pursue their passion in sports by increasing access and opportunity across the country, including programming for 8,000 girls actively playing soccer.
  • "We know from our extensive research1 that girls and young women drop out of sports at higher rates compared to their male counterparts.

CRACKER JACK® SPOTLIGHTS YOUNG WOMEN WHO ARE CHANGING THE FACE OF THE GAME WITH FIRST-EVER ATHLETE ON CRACKER JILL® PACKAGING

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023

PLANO, Texas, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its mission to increase the visibility of girls and women in sports to inspire the next generation, Cracker Jack® is recognizing nine young women today with the I Am Cracker Jill® Award. These recipients are changing the face of the game one goal, one run or one point at a time and will receive $5,000 from Cracker Jack to support their sports endeavors. The grand prize winner, Lindsey Zurbrugg, was also selected to represent aspiring female athletes across the country by being the first athlete to join the Cracker Jill roster and appear on special-edition Cracker Jill packaging.

Key Points: 
  • These recipients are changing the face of the game one goal, one run or one point at a time and will receive $5,000 from Cracker Jack to support their sports endeavors.
  • Being the first athlete featured on the packaging of such an iconic snack brand will be a tremendous help in accomplishing that."
  • It is our hope that these Cracker Jill athletes encourage and empower more girls and young women across the nation to keep playing."
  • For more information on Cracker Jack and the I Am Cracker Jill Award finalists, visit www.CrackerJill.com and follow the brand on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .

ISSAM ASINGA Named 2022-23 Gatorade National BOYS TRACK AND FIELD Player Of The Year

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 6, 2023

MONTVERDE, Fla., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Issam Asinga of Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla. is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Boys Track and Field Player of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • MONTVERDE, Fla., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Issam Asinga of Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla. is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Boys Track and Field Player of the Year.
  • Asinga won the prestigious award for his accomplishments on and off the field, joining an impressive group of former Gatorade National Boys Track and Field Players of the Year who have combined for more than 19 gold medals and 14 National Championships.
  • "No prep track athlete across America grabbed more attention this spring than Issam Asinga," said Rich Gonzalez, editor of PrepCalTrack.com.
  • The 6-foot, 178-pound senior broke one national record and set an all-conditions national record in a second event this past season.

KENNEDY FULLER Named 2022-23 Gatorade National GIRLS SOCCER Player Of The Year

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 30, 2023

SOUTHLAKE, Texas, June 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Kennedy Fuller of Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year. Fuller won the prestigious award for her accomplishments on and off the field, joining an impressive group of former Gatorade National Girls Soccer Players of the Year who have combined for more than 17 gold medals and nine National Championships. 

Key Points: 
  • SOUTHLAKE, Texas, June 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Kennedy Fuller of Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
  • Fuller won the prestigious award for her accomplishments on and off the field, joining an impressive group of former Gatorade National Girls Soccer Players of the Year who have combined for more than 17 gold medals and nine National Championships.
  • Fuller beat out nearly half a million other student-athletes who play girls soccer nationwide, topping the list of state winners in girls soccer who collectively boast an incredible list of accomplishments, including 44 with signed National Letters of Intent to play girls soccer at Division I colleges/universities and 32 with a GPA of 4.0 and above.
  • "Kennedy Fuller is a once-in-a-generation talent," said J.R. Eskilson, National Analyst for PrepSocccer.com.

ANGELINA NAPOLEON NAMED 2022-23 GATORADE NATIONAL GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 29, 2023

ALLEGANY, N.Y., June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Angelina Napoleon of Allegany-Limestone Central School in Allegany, N.Y. is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Girls Track and Field Player of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • ALLEGANY, N.Y., June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Angelina Napoleon of Allegany-Limestone Central School in Allegany, N.Y. is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Girls Track and Field Player of the Year.
  • Napoleon won the prestigious award for her accomplishments on and off the field, joining an impressive group of former Gatorade National Girls Track and Field Players of the Year who have combined for more than 71 gold medals and 34 National Championships.
  • The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes athletes not just for their excellence on the playing surface, but for their commitment in the classroom and impact in their community.
  • From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports.

RANSFORD GYAN NAMED 2022-23 GATORADE NATIONAL BOYS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 22, 2023

NEWARK, N.J., June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Ransford Gyan of St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • NEWARK, N.J., June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Ransford Gyan of St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, N.J. is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year.
  • Gyan beat out nearly half a million other student-athletes who play boys soccer nationwide, topping the list of state winners in boys soccer who collectively boast an incredible list of accomplishments, including 27 with signed National Letters of Intent to play boys soccer at Division I colleges/universities and 37 with a GPA of 3.5 and above.
  • "Ransford Gyan was the most impactful and most valuable player in boys high school soccer during the 2022-23 season," said J.R. Eskilson, National Analyst for PrepSocccer.com.
  • "Ransford is an undisputed leader both in competition and in his community, which is why he earned the Gatorade National Boys Soccer Player of the Year award."

AVA BROWN Named 2022-23 Gatorade National Softball Player Of The Year

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 20, 2023

MONTGOMERY, Texas, June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Ava Brown of Lake Creek High School in Montgomery, Texas is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • MONTGOMERY, Texas, June 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In its 38th year of honoring the nation's most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Ava Brown of Lake Creek High School in Montgomery, Texas is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year.
  • Brown won the prestigious award for her accomplishments on and off the field, joining an impressive group of former Gatorade National Softball Players of the Year who have combined for more than 17 gold medals and five National Championships.
  • Brown has volunteered with her local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as a youth softball coach.
  • She has signed a national letter of intent to play softball on scholarship at the University of Florida this fall.

MAX CLARK NAMED 2022-23 GATORADE NATIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 7, 2023

is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.

Key Points: 
  • is the 2022-23 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year.
  • The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes athletes not just for their excellence on the playing surface, but for their commitment in the classroom and impact in their community.
  • "Max Clark is another standout in the fine tradition of past Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year honorees," said Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB Pipeline.
  • 1 draft prospect in the Class of 2023 as rated by Prep Baseball Report and he's also the state's two-time returning Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.