Page: Advancing Gender Equity in Youth Sports: Community of Practice Overview Advancing Gender Equity in Youth Sports: Community of Practice Overview Background As one of the largest providers of youth sports in the nation, reaching over 40 million youth annually, park and recreation professionals arecatalysts for youth sports equity, offering affordable, fun, inclusive and multisport options that promote positive youth development.
Sports offer numerous benefits for youth, specifically girls. Girls who play sports experience a multitude of benefits from playing sports, includingattaining higher levels of education, being mentally and physically healthier, and earning higher wages as adults compared to non-athlete peers. Inparticular, girls and women of color experience lifelong dividends from sports, yet too often have the least opportunity to play. Many factorscontribute to this gender disparity, including access to facilities and leagues, cultural norms and attitudes, lack of representation in coaching andleadership positions, cost, and lack of programming options available. Park and recreation agencies play a pivotal role in addressing gender equityin sport by providing accessible, inclusive opportunities for girls and women to participate.
Program Overview The goal of the Advancing Gender Equity in Youth Sports Community of Practice (CoP) is to test and pilot activities that increase access to sportsfor girls. Ultimately through its work with the CoP, NRPA will develop a supplement to NRPA’s Youth Sports Equity Framework specific to advancinggender equity in the youth sports landscape. As noted, this can include representation of girls in sports programs and girls and women in thecoaching pipeline.
Based on its work with previous youth sports cohorts, NRPA has identified a preliminary list of activities(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/a83nbgvyabhe4cczoekqj/Gender-Equity-Actvities.png?rlkey=8gyuxy6pfltmqchgkx6vg32vc&st=a4k6kofv&dl=0)with proven potential to increase access to youth sports. Agencies can propose to utilize project funding to implement one or more of thestrategies included in this list, with a focus on the target populations mentioned above. Alternatively, agencies may also propose strategies notincluded in this list, so long as these strategies still prioritize girls and women. Applicants will be required to describe their project and itsconnection to advancing youth sports equity in depth in their application.
NRPA will select up to 10 agencies to participate in the year-long CoP program. Agencies will receive financial support ($20,000) to 1) implementtheir gender equity strategy and 2) support their participation in the community of practice. CoP members will commit to:
1. implementing one or more of the gender equity strategies included in the NRPA YSEF and sharing progress and lessons learned,
2. participating in bi-monthly CoP sessions (x6 total) and peer discussions, and
3. participating in evaluation activities, including case study interviews/focus groups, to understand key facilitators of success,challenges/barriers, impacts, and opportunities for scaling strategies across the P&R field.
CoP Expectations All participants are expected to attend bimonthly virtual meetings for peer discussion on a pre-selected topic. Selected topics will focus oncentering equitable programs, practices, and policies youth sports and will incorporate topics requested by members of the CoP, with opportunityfor members to co-lead meetings and troubleshoot common market challenges with the cohort. Meetings will be 60-90 minutes long and occurbimonthly from January – August 2025.
All applicants will be requested to complete a pre-and post-survey and may be invited to participate in a future focus group. The lead evaluatorand programs team will provide tools and support to help answer these questions. In addition, following each of the CoP calls, participants will beasked to complete a brief two-minute survey to assess key takeaways and areas for improvement.
Goals
Identify successful, replicable gender equity strategies in parks and recreation, which will be disseminated to the field at large through theGender Equity Roadmap.
Increase the knowledge and support of park and recreation professionals to remove systemic barriers to increase access to sports for girlsand level the playing field.
Availability of Funds
NRPA will select up to 10 park and recreation agencies to participate in the CoP.
Selected agencies will receive $20,000 to support their participation and engagement in the CoP, and to implement gender equitystrategies.
Eligibility Guidelines
The applicant must be a local government agency that plans, builds, and/or operates parks (e.g., municipal park and recreation department,tribal recreation department, park district, public works department that manages parks, etc.) OR an affiliated 501c(3) non-profitorganization (e.g., youth sports nonprofit that partners with a local P&R agency).
If the applicant is not a local government agency, the applicant is required to submit a letter of support from the park and recreation agencydirector or equivalent.
Application: 17682
City of Menifee
Started at: 10/2/2024 07:47 PM - Finalized at: 11/7/2024 06:15 PM Review Process NRPA will review and consider all applications in alignment with NRPA’s Equitable Grantmaking Policy, which aims to ensure that fundingopportunities sponsored by NRPA positively benefit communities, particularly communities that have historically experienced disinvestment bygovernment and philanthropy, by investing in and championing the park and recreation profession as a catalyst of positive change for equity,climate readiness and overall well-being.
To ensure fairness and eliminate bias in the review process, NRPA’s grantmaking team will create a diverse panel of qualified reviewers. NRPA willsupport reviewers by hosting a reviewer training that details grant goals and requirements, reviews the scoring rubric, and addresses implicit biasin the review process. NRPA will use the criteria outlined in the CoP Scoring Rubric(https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/trcpw8cn59w9gnp2xbdwm/Gender-Equity-CoP-Scoring-Rubric.pdf?rlkey=nh9i5yntucjkoh1t25morwfe1&st=709pzmwn&dl=0) to judge applications.
Questions If you have questions, please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]).
Key Dates
Date Activity
Week of September 23, 2024 RFP release
October 22, 2024 Informational webinar
November 8, 2024 Proposals due to NRPA
December 20, 2024 NRPA to notify agencies of award status (NRPA will notify all applicants) January 2025 CoP begins
January – August 2025 Awarded agencies to implement gender equity strategies Ongoing NRPA and awarded agencies to evaluate implemented strategies August 2025 Final report due to NRPA
Page: Applicant Information
Collaborators Instructions To help you fill out this form, NRPA allows multiple people to work on a single application. If you would like to invite a colleague or multiplecolleagues to assist you in completing your application, click the Manage Collaborators button at the top-right of this form. From there, you will beable to add collaborators - All you need is their name and valid e-mail address. Keep in mind that your application can only be submitted by theindividual who started this application. You may also revoke a collaborator's access at any time using the same menu.
Multimedia Submissions Applicants can submit parts of the application in written, video, or voice recording forms. These are clearly marked on each question. Weencourage applicants to use the methods they feel most comfortable using but note that some questions require a written response. The videoand voice recordings should clearly answer all components of each question. However, creativity is welcome. All methods of response will beequally scored during the review process without preference given to any one method. Examples of video or voice recordings could includeinterview style with stakeholders (municipal or community partners, community members, park and recreation professionals, etc.), a story-tellingformat with images, clips, or descriptions of project focus areas (like a podcast), or a multimedia presentation.
You can complete the entire application in writing or partially written and media. All written components must be submitted through this onlineapplication. If you are submitting a partial media application, you must provide written statements to those questions where indicated. For allmedia question responses, you must indicate the questions covered through media response – this could simply be a sentence “Answered in thevideo” or “Answered in the attached podcast.” There will be space at the end of the application to upload all media files. Multimedia submissionsshould not exceed 20 total minutes combined. Partial media applications must cover all points of each question. All applications, written or partialmedia, will be judged equally without preference to one method.
Regardless of written, video or voice recorded submissions, a complete application must be submitted through NRPA’s online grant applicationsystem. Applications are due by November 8th at 11:59 PM PST.
Eligibility
We are a local, municipal or regional government agency Organization Name
City of Menifee
Organization Address
29995 Evans Rd
Grant Contact Name
Shanice Jackson
Grant Contact Email
[email protected]
Page: Youth Sports Ecosystem
Current Youth Sports Opportunities
The City of Menifee offers a wide range of co-ed youth sports programs designed to foster skill development, teamwork, and a love for physical activity. Our programs include ayouth flag football league, youth basketball league, and youth sports camps that introduce athletes to the fundamentals of various sports each week. Additionally, we host anAdaptive Sports Fair, as well as fitness-based classes and aquatics programming, creating a broad scope of athletic opportunities for ages 3 and up.
While these programs are accessible to all, participation rates among girls are significantly lower than those of boys, with girls comprising only 15% of total sports registrations. Thisdisparity underscores the need to actively encourage and engage female youth in sports. We see a strong opportunity to develop targeted marketing efforts aimed at young femaleathletes and to promote sports as an inclusive, empowering experience.
By fostering a safe, supportive environment for girls to explore new sports, we can create an atmosphere where female participants feel valued and motivated to advance theirathletic skills. This approach not only promotes gender equity but also helps build confidence and resilience among young female athletes.
Community Served
The City of Menifee, located in southwestern Riverside County, spans approximately 50 square miles and is home to around 115,000 residents, making it one of California’s fastest-growing cities and ranked 9th in the nation for growth. Menifee’s community is a blend of vibrant neighborhoods with a rich history, strong cultural heritage, and diverse recreationalopportunities, making it a desirable place to live, work, and play. The area was originally inhabited by the Luiseño and Pechanga tribes and later developed in the mid-1800s asfarming and mining land. By the 1960s, Menifee began transforming into an active retirement community, and it has since expanded into a dynamic, inclusive city welcomingresidents of all ages and backgrounds.
To increase access for historically underrepresented groups, especially girls, the City emphasizes Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure as a key strategic priority. Thisincludes creating programs and resources to increase awareness, accessibility, and community connection. Through the Community Services Department, we actively work toengage and uplift all residents by delivering quality programs and facilities. By developing inclusive, gender-focused programming and proactively addressing barriers toparticipation, we aim to enhance quality of life and foster lasting, positive experiences for all youth, especially young girls.
Goals for Advancing Gender Equity in Sport
The City of Menifee is committed to advancing gender equity in sports, with a goal of increasing female participation and creating a supportive, inclusive environment for girls andwomen in our community. While we currently offer various co-ed sports programs, our department recognizes the need for targeted initiatives that prioritize and celebrate girls insports. To achieve this, we aim to implement the ‘Get HER in the Game’ program, designed to foster a welcoming, safe environment where girls’ participation is encouraged andvalued.
The ‘Get HER in the Game’ curriculum will focus on increasing access to sports facilities, resources, and training for female athletes. By partnering with local organizations andsponsors, we hope to expand opportunities specifically for girls, allowing them to engage in sports on an equal footing. This initiative will also promote the representation of womenas athletes, coaches, volunteers, and officials, providing positive role models and reinforcing that sports is a space for everyone.
Through partnerships with youth sports advocates, we seek to build pathways for lifelong engagement and mentorship, empowering young female athletes and helping to establisha more equitable, diverse, and supportive sports ecosystem.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The City of Menifee is deeply committed to fostering justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in all aspects of its programs and services. Through intentional integration of JEDIprinciples into our City’s strategic plan, we aim to increase diverse representation in marketing, programming, and community engagement efforts. We provide staff training focusedon cultural competency and inclusive practices to ensure that our team is well-equipped to serve all community members equitably and respectfully.
We actively partner with local organizations, community groups, businesses, and residents to create inclusive opportunities and promote accessibility. For instance, our Mighty Meprogram, which falls under the City’s inclusive and special needs initiative, offers a supportive environment where people of all abilities can develop skills and enjoy fitness activities.Our annual Adaptive Sports Fair promotes inclusivity by encouraging participation in a variety of sports and connecting individuals with local resources.
Additionally, through our Cultural Arts program, we offer diverse events and activities that celebrate cultural awareness. From cultural dance classes that teach history and traditionsto girls’ confidence workshops, we seek to empower all participants. We hope to grow our JEDI commitment through the Community of Practice, gaining insights to further enhanceinclusivity across all programs.
Page: Project Information
Proposed Project
“Get HER in the Game” is a dedicated all-girls sports initiative aimed at advancing gender equity by providing girls with meaningful opportunitiesto connect, engage, and thrive in sports. This six-week program will foster a supportive, empowering environment where female athletes candevelop both athletic and life skills. Meeting 2-3 times a week, the program will focus on skill development in areas such as footwork, dribbling,passing, and shooting, tailored for beginner to intermediate levels.
In addition to on-court skills, each session will include a focus on life skills, including confidence-building, effective communication, and mentalwellness. Athletes will participate in drills designed to enhance teamwork, resilience, and self-assurance—skills that extend beyond sports and intotheir everyday lives.
Each week, we will feature guest speakers, including female sports professionals, who will share their journeys and offer practical advice forsuccess in sports and life. Participants will also have the chance to connect with female mentors—coaches, officials, and sports administrators—who will guide them in developing leadership, social, and emotional skills. This project aims to create a lasting impact by empowering young girlswith the confidence, support, and community to continue their engagement in sports.
Youth Sports Equity Strategy
Menifee is committed to advancing all strategies within NRPA’s Youth Sports Equity Framework by building a comprehensive approach to addressprogrammatic gaps in justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JEDI). Our ‘Get HER in the Game’ initiative is designed to reduce barriers to sportsparticipation for girls and increase gender equity across our programs.
We conduct ongoing assessments of our current operations and engage in targeted outreach to identify unique challenges and needs of femaleathletes in our community. This includes speaking directly with current female athletes, as well as potential new participants from other Cityprograms, to understand their experiences and obstacles. Through these conversations, we can more effectively address systemic barriers andtailor our program to meet the needs of this generation of female athletes.
The project will also focus on strengthening relationships with advocates and community partners, dedicating resources to build a sustainablenetwork of support. To ensure broad community awareness, we will use diverse marketing strategies, including social media, information boothsat events, email campaigns, our seasonal Activity Guide, and presentations to schools and our Community Partners network. Through theseefforts, we aim to create a lasting, impactful program that promotes equity and inclusion in youth sports.
Community Need
Our organization has chosen the ‘Get HER in the Game’ project to address the significant gender gap in our sports programs. Currently, only 15%of our sports registrations are female, despite the City of Menifee’s population being evenly split between genders. This stark discrepancyhighlights a critical need to create programs that actively encourage female participation in sports.
As a newer city, we proudly maintain 22 parks with excellent outdoor amenities but face limitations in indoor facilities—an obstacle for sportsprogramming. This project will build long-term community relationships to help overcome these limitations. Partnering with local schools that haveindoor gymnasiums will expand access to safe, inclusive, and affordable athletic opportunities for female students. Additionally, collaboration withyouth sports advocates and skilled coaches will bring passion and expertise into the program, enhancing quality and engagement.
Finally, we envision partnerships with Community Partners interested in sponsoring or donating to a cause that promotes gender equity andcommunity wellness. By involving schools, local advocates, and sponsors, we aim to create a sustainable, impactful program that fosters asupportive environment for girls in sports and addresses the gender gap in youth athletic participation.
Page: Project Management
Project Timeline
January 2025: Launch a marketing campaign to promote ‘Get HER in the Game.’ Outreach will include presentations at local schools, emailnotifications to current program participants, and flyer distribution at city events. We will network with local businesses and organizations tosecure sponsorships or in-kind donations, aiming to create a robust community support system for the program.
February - March 2025: Open registration for the first two program sessions, with targeted outreach to encourage female athletes and theirfamilies to sign up. Our goal is to engage a broad demographic of girls, focusing on overcoming barriers to participation.
March - April 2025: Conduct Session 1 of ‘Get HER in the Game,’ which will run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with 1-hour sessionsorganized by age group. Each week will include skill development, life skills sessions, and guest speakers from the local sports community.
April - May 2025: Conduct Session 2 with a similar schedule, incorporating feedback from the first session to enhance participant experience.
June - July 2025: Evaluate program outcomes, gather participant feedback, and refine the curriculum for future sessions. Finalize a report on theprogram’s impact and outcomes, ensuring timely completion by August 31, 2025 Page: Project Budget
Budget
Download File (https://nrpa-awards.secure-platform.com/file/22571/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJtZWRpYUlkIjoyMjU3MSwiYWxsb3dOb3RTaWduZWRVcmwiOiJGYWxzZSIsImlnbm9Youth%20Sports%20Equity%20Grant_Budget%20Template%20%28version%201%29.xlsx) Budget Details
Facility Reservation: Securing an indoor gymnasium at Santa Rosa Academy at $290 per hour, for three days a week at 3-5 hours per day, willprovide a safe and consistent space for the program.
Program Refreshments: Funds will cover essentials like water, Gatorade, granola bars, and fruit, ensuring participants stay hydrated and energizedduring sessions.
Guest Speaker Incentives: Gift cards, stipends, and gas/mileage reimbursements will be offered to guest speakers as a token of appreciation fortheir contributions.
Sports Equipment: Essential training tools, including cones, blocking pads, defender simulators, balls, pennies, whistles, and court cleaningsupplies, will support skill development activities.
Registration Incentives: Items like reusable water bottles, program-specific t-shirts, and towels will be given to registered participants, fosteringteam spirit and commitment.
Completion Incentives: Upon completing the program, participants will receive drawstring bags, basketballs, and personal training kits (includingcones and resistance bands) to continue skill-building at home.
General Program Supplies: Notebooks, pens, and printing materials will support the creation of personalized journals/workbooks to enhance thecurriculum’s impact.
Additional Funding
To supplement the grant, we will use funds from our current bi-annual budget and contribute significant in-kind support through dedicated stafftime. Our staff will handle program coordination, marketing, and on-site management, ensuring seamless operations throughout the initiative.This contribution of staff time represents a critical in-kind investment that maximizes our ability to deliver a high-quality program withoutadditional financial strain.
Additionally, we plan to engage guest speakers through reciprocal support; in exchange for their time, we will offer staffing and assistance fortheir events, creating mutual benefits and reducing the need for monetary compensation. Our partnership with local schools will play a key role inobtaining essential sports equipment and, when available, indoor facilities, allowing us to meet program needs while maintaining budgetefficiency.
Collaborations with local businesses are vital to our funding strategy, as they will help us secure incentives like gift cards and promotional items atlittle to no cost. Working closely with other city agencies, we aim to coordinate facility access, expand participant outreach, and acquire additionalresources necessary for the program’s success.
Leveraging these partnerships and in-kind contributions is essential to sustaining ‘Get HER in the Game,’ maximizing community resources, andenhancing program impact.
Page: Community of Practice
Community of Practice Participant
Community Services Coordinator, Shanice Jackson, who currently oversees Youth Sports, Healthy Menifee, Aquatics, and Skate Park operations,will join the community of practice. Shanice is a dedicated advocate for youth sports and passionate about advancing female participation insports. With 24 years of competitive basketball experience and over a decade of coaching across recreation, high school, and collegiate levels, shebrings both depth and breadth to this role.
Shanice is a certified youth basketball and flag football official and currently serves an assistant coach at La Sierra University, as well as a headcoach and girls program director for a non-profit travel basketball organization. Her experience extends beyond the court, as she leveragescharacter development, life skills, and leadership techniques to support youth athletes and her professional growth. Her extensive background inyouth sports and commitment to mentorship make her an invaluable asset to the community of practice.
Organization Strengths
Our team brings a wealth of experience and practical knowledge from managing diverse sports leagues and programming. Each season, our staff and volunteer coaches receivetraining on rules, techniques, and coaching strategies that apply across age groups, with a focus on effective communication with parents, partners, officials, and players. Our Sportsleadership team excels in planning and executing events, practices, and games, prioritizing inclusive practices, youth sports development, and personal growth for all athletes.
Though our City and department are newer, our team has applied best practices and lessons learned from previous roles across both public and private sectors, including our workwith the NRPA’s SHAPR 3.0 grant. We leverage insights gained from these experiences to refine our programs, improve participant engagement, and address emerging challengesproactively. Our commitment to learning has allowed us to integrate strategies that boost engagement, inclusivity, and program impact, making our offerings stronger and moreequitable.
With access to a broad network of supportive organizations, we bring a unique perspective to the community of practice. Our team’s adaptability and dedication to gender equityenable us to implement effective solutions and share our insights, contributing meaningfully to collective learning and advancement.
Desired Learning
Through the peer network calls, we hope to build a strong network of advocates to support our mission of providing safe, welcoming, and inclusive sports programs for young femaleathletes. Youth sports offer critical opportunities for girls to build confidence, resilience, and teamwork skills, which are essential for their personal and social development. We aim tolearn strategies for ensuring meaningful representation of female athletes, officials, and coaches across our community, fostering a culture where young girls feel inspired andempowered.
Additionally, we are eager to gain tools and techniques for teaching life skills, coaching, and mentoring female athletes to support their growth both on and off the field. By learningeffective ways to nurture these qualities, we can better equip young athletes to continue their athletic journeys and become confident, contributing members of society.
We will share these insights by hosting community workshops, updating training materials, and collaborating with local partners to integrate these best practices throughout ourprograms, ensuring a lasting impact.
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