She Plays On

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She Plays On is a united initiative by Kaiser Permanente, the Golden State Valkyries and the Golden State Community Foundation designed to keep girls in sports and help them thrive in life. By addressing total health - mind, body and belonging - the program connects girls with local community resources, mentors, and specially trained coaches to ensure every young athlete has the access and confidence she needs to play on.

For every Valkyries jersey purchased, Kaiser Permanente will donate* $25 to She Plays On, a platform that empowers Bay Area girls to live healthy, active lifestyles on and off the court.

*Donation only applies to Valkyries jerseys sold in-store or online by Valkyries and Golden State shops now through October 31st, 2026. Donations will be made to the Golden State Community Foundation in support of the She Plays On platform.

Who is "She"

  • Youth girls
  • Ages 9-15
  • Grades 4-9
  • Seeking community
  • Value peer connections
  • Don’t care to win

Program Pillars

Total Health
Support the mind, body, and future of every girl through programming that addresses mental health, nutrition, physical development, emotional safety and life skills.

Belonging Before Performance 
We believe sport should be a fun space where girls feel emotionally safe, included, connected and not judged, isolated, or pressured to compete with others but encouraged to focus on becoming their best selves.

Unlock Access + Opportunity
Prioritize inclusive, culturally relevant approaches that empower girls at all skill levels and provide the resources needed for personal growth.

Community Driven Collaboration
We build with, not for. By partnering with trusted local organizations, mentors, coaches, and families, we ensure programs reflect the real needs and lived experiences of the girls we serve.

Program Goals

  1. Keep Girls in the Game
    Increase participation and retention of girls in sports by addressing barriers to access, inclusion, and long-term engagement.
  2. Advance Total Health 
    Support girls’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being through education, resources, and wellness programming rooted in Kaiser Permanente’s total health model. 
  3. Empower Coaches & Communities
    Equip coaches, parents, and community partners with the tools and training needed to create inclusive, supportive environments where every girl can thrive. 
  4. Connect to Local Resources
    Build a strong network linking girls to local organizations, mentors, and facilities that provide continued opportunities for growth and support. 
  5. Inspire the Next Generation
    Leverage the power of sports to inspire confidence, leadership, and belonging among young girl athletes.

The Research Study that Inspired She Plays On

In December 2024, Kaiser Permanente and the Golden State Valkyries teamed up with Mahogany Insights to conduct a primary research study focused on why young girls in the Bay Area are dropping out of sport. Through focus groups with coaches, athletes, former athletes and their parents, we unveiled a key insight that became the inspiraton for She Plays On.

The Research Key Takeaway:
Girls’ decisions to stay or leave sports are influenced by their aspiration for community vs. competition.

Through the study, we identified three insight areas impacting girls’ decisions:

Mental and Physical Insights

  • Girls who drop out often cite a lack of confidence and belief in their abilities, not a lack of interest
  • Girls who enjoy sports but aren’t “top-tier” athletes are especially vulnerable to negative experiences
  • Puberty-related changes (e.g. menstruation, breast development, body image) significantly affect performance and comfort especially when ignored or misunderstood by coaches

Social and Emotional Insights

  • Coaches often aren’t trained to support girls emotionally, yet their influence on how girls process stress, setbacks, and self-worth is profound
  • Girls often leave when they feel isolated, excluded, or constantly compared to others as the fear of judgement, peer pressure, or constant criticism can erode motivation over time
  • Girls lack relatable role models especially female coaches and older peers who reflect their lived experience 

External Factors

  • Inadequate investment in facilities and equipment further limits opportunities to participate and improve
  • Lack of access to injury prevention education and training puts many girls at a disadvantage 

She Plays On Is Building The Next Generation of Women Leaders: This program is about more than sports today – it's about building the next generation of future leaders, innovators and changemakers.

She Plays On is Strengthening Girls’ Total Health: Kaiser Permanente, Golden State Valkyries + Golden State Community Foundation is launching She Plays On to strengthen girl’s health, confidence, leadership development and long-term participation in sports by making local community programming more accessible for students and training coaches with the unique tools  to help girls win.

Kaiser Permanente x GSV is Mobilizing Fans to Support Girls in the Bay Area Community: Golden State Valkyries jersey proceeds fuel meaningful community impact giving fans an opportunity to give back to the community while securing their favorite merch.

Kaiser Permanente is Elevating Medical Excellence in Bay Area Girls Sports: Kaiser Permanente brings medical excellence and community health leadership to help ensure girls have the physical, mental and emotional support they need to thrive.

She Plays On Was Created to Support Bay Area Girls, But the Insights Have Nationwide Reach: She Plays On is a movement that has deep roots in the Bay Area, but the insights and tools are designed to support national impact.