Many girls say their main reason for playing sports  is to “have fun”. However, during adolescence, teenage girls often face challenges such as body image concerns, performance pressures, and peer influence that can deter them from staying active. In addition, there is a lack of female coaches to serve as role models and grassroots programs specifically designed for teenage girls to encourage  them to keep playing  and simply enjoy themselves. As a result, the dropout rate for girls in youth sports is more than double that of boys. 

To address this issue, City Parks Foundation, in partnership with Nike, is launching Girls Forward, a citywide initiative to  provide teenage girls ages 13-16 with a safe and empowering space to play and stay in sports. Dedicated instructional classes for girls in tennis, golf, track and soccer are led by female coaches at public parks throughout the 5 boroughs. Participants will also have access to special events, pro-clinics, motivational talks and workshops to develop self confidence  and encourage their continued  engagement in sports.