i9 Sports Tackles Dropout Crisis in Girls Sports With 'Gains are for the Girls' Campaign

Tampa, FL – Across the U.S., girls leave sports earlier than boys — often because pressure, cost, and intimidation outweigh fun. i9 Sports is trying to change that. With its new Gains are for the Girls' initiative, the nation’s leading youth sports provider strives to get 500,000 girls playing annually by 2030. In support of this initiative, i9 Sports released findings from a new national survey that uncovers what matters most to families when it comes to their daughters’ sports experiences, and why a new standard is needed.

Survey findings

The newly issued survey, Shaping the Future of Sports for Girls, collected insights from more than 1,500 parents who were encouraged to take the survey with their daughters. All respondents had children who participated in i9 Sports programs within the past two to three years, and more than half reported having daughters aged seven and older. The data points to a clear shift away from win-at-all-costs models and toward environments that prioritize encouragement, skill development, and social connection.

“These insights confirm what families are asking for and what i9 Sports is committed to delivering,” said Madison Gates, VP of Marketing at i9 Sports. “Gains are for the Girls is our promise to put kids first and remove the barriers that keep girls from playing. When girls are supported, encouraged, and given the space to grow at their own pace, they gain confidence, life skills, and a lifelong love of sports.”

The survey also cemented the importance of positive coaching and beginner-friendly environments. Parents pointed to encouraging coaches and supportive team dynamics as essential to their daughters’ experiences, while also sharing that many girls fear not knowing anyone or worrying they are not “good enough,” concerns that can make starting a new season intimidating. Programs that emphasize inclusion, structure, and low-pressure skill building are shown to keep girls engaged and coming back.

Former collegiate basketball player at Notre Dame and i9 Sports franchise owner Diana Braendly said the findings reflect what many athletes experience long after their playing days are over. “Sports gave me the confidence and a sense of identity that stayed with me well beyond the court,” Braendly said. “But that only happens when kids feel supported and valued.

Program expansion

When we focus less on winning and more on growth and belonging, we give girls something far more powerful than a trophy.” Through Gains are for the Girls, i9 Sports is expanding access to youth sports with inclusive, fun-first programs and strategic partnerships designed to eliminate financial and social barriers.

The initiative launches ahead of National Girls & Women in Sports Day as leaders across the country gather at the Women’s Sports Foundation convening in Washington, D.C. During the event, i9 Sports will engage in conversations centered on access, equity, and the future of girls’ sports participation.

“With Gains are for the Girls, we’re building a future where more girls feel confident stepping onto the field and staying in the game,” Gates added. “This is about changing the culture of youth sports and ensuring every girl has the chance to gain everything sports have to offer.”