WOMEN IN SPORTS
As parents, educators, and coaches, it's our job to make sure girls have equal opportunities in sports. Unfortunately, the number of girls who are dropping out of sports at an alarming rate is a cause for concern. By the age of 14, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys. By the age of 17 more than half of girls (51%) will have quit a team sport.
Sports aren't just about physical activity — they're also about learning valuable life lessons. Teamwork, resilience, perseverance, confidence: these skills are integral parts of playing on a team and can last a lifetime. We want to see more girls equipped with these essential tools for success.
We believe that when girls play sports, everyone wins. That's why we created the "You Do Belong" initiative — to help young girls experience the power of sport.
It's time to build a better future for girls everywhere — join us!
Dear ___________
A letter to my younger self
This campaign is a collection of interviews, in the format of a letter to your younger self, that aims to help young women continue participating in sports. Every woman has a story about how sports impacted their lives.
These are their stories.
Dear Sarah,
Dear Heather,
Dear Ali,
Dear Julie,
Want to share your story?
Reach out to: mbarnhart@ncfusion.org
NC FUsion WOMEN IN THE NEWS
List of Services
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Dr. Alison Hartman, NC Fusion Ambassador
Congratulations to Ali Hartman, one of our NC Fusion Ambassadors, on her National Collegiate Equestrian Association distinguished alumni award!
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Kerry Eagleston, NC Fusion Alumni, poised for possible record-braking season at App State. Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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Naomi Powell, NC Fusion Alumni, signs with Hibernian FC in Edinburgh Write a description for this list item and include information that will interest site visitors. For example, you may want to describe a team member's experience, what makes a product special, or a unique service that you offer.
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NC Fusion Ties to the Women's World Cup
This summer the United States sent six match officials to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The delegation consisted of two referees, three assistant referees, and one video assistant referee.
FIFA Referee - Katja Koroleva
FIFA Referee - Tori Penso
FIFA Assistant Referee - Felisha Mariscal
FIFA Assistant Referee - Brooke Mayo
FIFA Assistant Referee - Kathryn Nesbitt
FIFA Video Assistant Referee - Armando Villarreal
The second name on the list has deep ties to the NC Fusion Family. Serving as a mentor and coach for young officials, Tori Penso knows her way around the NC Fusion facilities. Giving back to the game is a passion that Penso holds dear when it comes to referee development. While she has been spotted on the NC Fusion pitch coaching grassroots officials, she also has served as a mentor on the regional level through the US Youth Soccer Southern Region Championships. Penso is currently an active Major League Soccer referee.
Penso’s soccer resume is one that is long and most inclusive. Tori currently is a NISOA and USSF National Referee. Her NCAA list of accomplishments are many which include NCAA Division I and Division III Women’s National Championships, ACC, SEC, Big Ten, Big South, MAC, and SoCon Tournament Semis and Finals. Penso moved up to professional matches in the NWSL and the USL and in 2020 became the first women in 20 years to referee an MLS match. In the last three years, Penso has worked the following high-profile competitions:
Referee at a Men’s FIFA World Cup Qualifying match in 2021
Referee the NWSL Championship in 2021
Referee at the Conacaf U-20 Championship in 2022
And the list goes on!!!
During the 2019 Women's World Cup, Penso was watching matches shortly after giving birth to her third child trying to balance officiating working in an advertising agency.
Tori currently serves as the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association’s Managing Director.
FIFA Women Cup 2023 Assignments as the referee as of today’s date:
Match 15: July 24, 2023, Germany vs Morocco
Match 33: July 30, 2023, New Zealand vs Switzerland
Match 55: August 8, France vs Morocco
Match 62, Semi Final: August 16, 2023, Australia vs England
Match 64, FINAL: August 20, 2023, Spain vs England
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Meet the Senior Soccer Team Scoring on Life
The TODAY Show recently highlighted a senior women's soccer team competing in the US Adult Soccer tournament hosted at Bryan Park.
Sports teams are an important part of growing up, and Title IX allows girls to play any sport all the way through college. But there's a generation who didn’t have the same opportunities. NBC’s Stephanie Gosk talks with senior soccer team “Still Kickin” to see how they come together to make up for lost time.
(Peep the NC Fusion logo in the video!)
WANT TO GET IN TOUCH?
info@ncfusion.org
(336) 998-4277
Administrative Office:
Truist Sports Park 428 Twins Way
Bermuda Run, NC 27006
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