Compete Sports Network Celebrates National Girls and Women in Sports Day
Kimberly Dawes, SDL • February 4, 2026
National Girls and Women in Sports Day is an opportunity not just to celebrate progress, but to recognize the individuals and organizations who have worked—often quietly and persistently—to expand access, visibility, and opportunity for women in sports.
At Compete Sports Network, this day holds particular meaning. Since our founding in 2006, our work has been shaped and strengthened by women who believed in the power of sport as a platform for leadership, equity, and community long before it was widely embraced.
From the beginning, Compete benefited from the guidance and support of iconic women who helped define what inclusive sports leadership could look like. Trailblazers such as coach and sports advocate Helen Carroll, college basketball legend Dora Dome, and sports author and columnist Patricia Nell Warren lent not only their names, but their voices, credibility, and lived experience to our early work. Their influence helped establish Compete as an organization committed to representation, opportunity, and long-term impact.
Over the years, we have continued to collaborate with women leaders across a wide range of sports and disciplines. These include Judith Dea, President of USA Korfball; Andrea Snead of the United States Tennis Association; and tennis icon Billie Jean King, whose lifelong advocacy for equality has reshaped the global sports landscape. Each partnership reinforced the importance of leadership that is principled, persistent, and inclusive.
Within our own organization, women have played central roles in shaping Compete’s editorial voice and strategic direction. Although our Editor Emerita, Connie Wardman, retired last year after nearly two decades in sports media, her influence continues. She remains a trusted mentor and advisor to our team, offering guidance that reflects both experience and a deep commitment to elevating underrepresented stories in sport.
We are also proud of our partnership with the Lynn Lewis Foundation, with whom Compete co-founded the Compete Women’s Sports Council. This collaborative initiative was created to bring together leaders across sports, tourism, and business to develop sustainable opportunities for women’s athletics. The Council is currently working on the development of a women-focused sports tournament in Florida, designed to spotlight women athletes while creating meaningful economic and community impact.
Beyond athletes and media leaders, women are also driving change in sports tourism and event leadership—an often overlooked but critical sector of the industry. Professionals such as Nicole Goddeyne of Northstar Meetings Group and Breanna Martinez of Corpus Christi Sports Tourism work tirelessly to host women-led events, support emerging leaders, and create pathways for women to thrive behind the scenes. Their work ensures that women are not only competing on the field, but shaping the infrastructure that supports sport itself.
We are also deeply grateful for our partnerships with organizations dedicated to advancing women in sport, including USA Catchball and the Black Volleyball Circuit. Each of these organizations plays a vital role in fostering participation, leadership development, and community for women and girls at every level.
While it is impossible to name every remarkable woman who has influenced our journey, we want to acknowledge the countless athletes, administrators, coaches, volunteers, executives, and advocates whose impact may not always be visible, but is deeply felt. Their dedication—often behind the scenes—has helped move women’s sports forward in ways both large and small.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day reminds us that progress is rarely the result of a single moment. It is built by trailblazers, mentors, advocates, and organizers who show up year after year to push the industry forward. At Compete Sports Network, we are honored to stand alongside these leaders—and committed to continuing the work they helped inspire.
The Sunshine Cup returns to South Florida this weekend, marking its 15th year as one of the longest-running and most respected LGBTQ+ flag football tournaments in the country. Held over Presidents Day Weekend, February 14–15, the event brings teams, fans, and visitors to Fort Lauderdale, where competitive sport, community, and tourism intersect. Games will take place at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, drawing athletes from across the region for a full weekend of fast-paced flag football. Featuring multiple divisions and a packed schedule, the Sunshine Cup delivers high-level competition while maintaining the inclusive, welcoming atmosphere that has defined the tournament since its earliest years. Over the past decade and a half, the Sunshine Cup has evolved into far more than a sporting event. It has become a reliable driver of sports tourism, generating substantial hotel room nights and direct economic impact for the Fort Lauderdale business community. Teams and spectators traveling from outside the area contribute to increased demand for hotels, restaurants, transportation services, retail, and local entertainment venues throughout the weekend. For Florida tourism, the Sunshine Cup highlights the state’s growing reputation as a destination for inclusive sporting events. Many participants extend their stays beyond the tournament, further amplifying the economic benefit while experiencing South Florida’s beaches, dining, nightlife, and cultural attractions. This combination of athletic competition and destination appeal makes the Sunshine Cup a valuable asset for the local economy. On the field, the action is expected to be intense, with experienced teams and emerging programs competing for Sunshine Cup titles. The level of play continues to rise each year, reflecting the broader growth of LGBTQ+ flag football nationwide and the role tournaments like the Sunshine Cup play in elevating the sport. Off the field, the tournament remains a cornerstone of community connection. For many athletes, the Sunshine Cup offers a space to compete openly and authentically, fostering camaraderie and confidence that extends well beyond the final whistle. That sense of belonging is a key reason the event has endured for 15 years and continues to attract new teams and returning participants alike. As the Sunshine Cup celebrates this milestone year, it stands as a model for how inclusive sports can succeed long-term—delivering competitive excellence, strengthening community ties, and producing meaningful economic benefits for host cities. When the final games conclude on Sunday, champions will be crowned. But the broader impact will be felt throughout Fort Lauderdale, where the Sunshine Cup once again demonstrates the power of sports to bring people together while supporting local businesses and tourism.
Theater has the Tonys. TV has the Emmys. Film has the Oscars. And now, Sports For All™ has the Petey Awards™. On January 15th, the glamour and excitement of awards season came to the world of sports as athletes, fans, and organizations gathered at the iconic Flamingo Las Vegas to celebrate the very best in welcoming sports. The festivities were part of the annual Sin City Classic Sports Festival, and the energy in the room made it clear — this is an event that's quickly becoming one of the most anticipated nights on the sports calendar. Hosted by the charismatic Rob Tanis-Evon, the evening was a celebration of the people and organizations quietly — and not so quietly — making a difference in sports communities across the country. The night kicked off with Visit Greater Palm Springs taking home the prestigious Event of the Year Award, recognizing the city's outstanding commitment to hosting world-class sporting events. Kevin McReynolds, Jr. was honored with the Community All-Star Award, a testament to his dedication to giving back. The Rise and Dream Foundation earned the Beacon Award, shining a light on their inspiring mission to uplift communities through sport. The Sports Tourism MVP award saw triple the recognition this year, with Mallory Williams, Nicole Goddeyne, and Brandon Benson each earning the honor for their remarkable contributions to bringing sporting events — and the economic and cultural boost that comes with them — to their communities. IMG took home the Corporate Partner Award, while the Buffalo Sports Commission and Visit Fort Wayne were celebrated as the Welcoming and Emerging Sports Destinations of the year, respectively — a sign that welcoming sports tourism is only going to keep growing. Stephanie Maes was recognized as the Women Sports Champion, and Jordan Cannon earned the Pro Athlete Award, celebrating athletic excellence and leadership on and off the field. Rigo Cortez was honored with the Sin City Volunteer Award, a nod to the unsung heroes who make events like these possible behind the scenes.
In August 2026, Compete Sports Network will debut its Adaptive Sports Summit in Fort Wayne, Indiana, launching a new national gathering designed to elevate competitive opportunities for adaptive athletes and the organizations that serve them. Presented in partnership with Visit Fort Wayne, the three-day Summit will bring together sports organizations, travel and tourism partners, corporate partners, and community stakeholders focused on building dedicated adaptive sporting events or integrating adaptive divisions into traditional tournaments. The Summit is intentionally focused and highly collaborative, creating space for meaningful conversation, shared learning, and strategic growth.
In 2026, Compete enters its twentieth year — not just a marker of time, but a testament to two decades of elevating athletes and communities whose stories once lived in the margins. Compete was born in 2006 at the Bingham Cup in New York City, a moment when LGBTQ+ athletes were competing yet had almost no media platform of their own. What began as Sports Out Loud, the world’s first gay sports magazine, quickly grew into a movement rooted in visibility, equity, and the belief that sports are for everyone. Today, Compete Sports Network connects athletes, sports organizations, tourism partners, corporate partners and community organizations across the country — all under the banner of Sports For All™. And Sports For All™ is all encompassing, and includes you! Now, as we begin our 20th year, we’re launching the celebration at the Sin City Classic in Las Vegas. The 2026 Compete Sports For All™ Awards On January 15, 2026, Compete will host the Sports For All™ Awards during the Sin City Classic — honoring the athletes, organizers, volunteers, and advocates who make sports more accessible, more welcoming, and more inspiring. This theme, History & Heroes , is a year-long tribute to the individuals and organizations whose actions — often quiet, sometimes bold, always meaningful — have helped shape the modern sports landscape. From coaches to tournament founders to elite athletes, these are the people whose work transforms communities. Award nominations are now open. To recognize someone who embodies courage, excellence, leadership, and the spirit of Sports For All™, visit: www. competetwork.com/nominations A Year-Long Storytelling Campaign Compete is also launching a year-long History & Heroes storytelling campaign. Every sports organization is encouraged to complete our community questionnaire and share its history, mission, and impact. Organizations will be featured across Compete’s magazine, digital platforms, and event stages throughout 2026. Your organization’s story matters — and this year, it becomes part of a 20-year legacy. Share your story here: https://forms.gle/TPCjEmvkKtWkGVLn9 Honoring Legacy The Mark Bingham Athlete of the Year Award remains the centerpiece of the Sports For All™ Awards. Named for Mark Bingham — an LGBTQ+ rugby player, entrepreneur, and 9/11 hero — the award represents the highest standard of athletic achievement, integrity, and courage. Bingham’s legacy remains central to Compete’s mission: sportsmanship, bravery, and the belief that one person’s actions can change the world. Another iconic symbol of the awards is the Petey statue , modeled after the classic image of a rugby official signaling a try. Petey represents fairness, passion, and the pure joy of sport — a visual reminder that greatness comes not only from athletic dominance but from character, respect, and commitment to the game. Looking Forward As Compete steps into its 20th year, the focus is not simply on looking back — it’s on shaping what comes next. The next generation of athletes. The next wave of community leaders. The next stories that will define the future of Sports For All™. Whether you’re nominating an outstanding athlete, submitting your organization’s story, or joining us in Las Vegas, this is your invitation to be part of the next chapter. See you at the Sin City Classic on January 15, 2026 — where History & Heroes take center stage.
In May 2006, a bold idea took shape on a rugby pitch in New York City. At the Bingham Cup—gay rugby’s equivalent of the Rugby World Cup—we introduced the world to Sports Out Loud Magazine, the first and only gay sports magazine in existence at the time. With a simple but ambitious vision—“To Unite the World Through Sports”—we set out to tell the stories no one else was telling. Not the stories of celebrity athletes. Not the stories confined to box scores. But the stories of everyday competitors—their grit, their dreams, their victories on and off the field. We believed then, as we do now, that sports have the extraordinary power to bring people together, create belonging, and elevate voices that deserve to be heard. Two Decades of Growth, Innovation, and Leadership What began as a print magazine has evolved into a comprehensive, multi-platform sports network. Today, Compete Sports Network serves as a bridge connecting: · Sports organizations · Tourism and destination partners · Corporate leaders · Community organizations · Athletes and sports fans worldwide Our evolution has been intentional. As the world of sports expanded, so did we—growing from a publication into a dynamic ecosystem that now includes: · Digital media and storytelling · Professional conferences and markets · Signature awards and recognition programs · Membership and advisory platforms · Sports tourism and economic-impact initiatives Each step forward has been shaped by the same mission that started it all: building connection, opportunity, and visibility through sports. Entering Our 20th Year: A Milestone Worth Celebrating As we step into our 20th year—not just marking an anniversary, but actively beginning our next chapter—we do so with gratitude, pride, and clarity of purpose. Twenty years represents far more than time passed. It represents the athletes we’ve profiled, the organizations we’ve supported, the events we’ve powered, and the relationships that have carried us forward. It represents resilience—through industry changes, economic shifts, and global challenges. It represents leadership—showing what is possible when sports and inclusion move hand in hand. And it represents the remarkable community that stands with us. Thank You to Our Partners, Friends, and Supporters None of this would have been possible without the sports organizations, DMOs, tourism leaders, corporate partners, and community advocates who believed in our mission. Your collaboration, your trust, and your commitment have helped transform a magazine into a movement. The Next Chapter Begins Now As we enter our 20th year, we’re not looking backward—we’re building forward. Watch for new initiatives, expanded partnerships, and a renewed commitment to our founding vision: Sports For All™ . Together, we will continue to elevate sports, uplift communities, and unite people across the globe.
This year, Las Vegas becomes the epicenter of inclusive sports when thousands of athletes and fans gather for the Sin City Classic. In 2026, Compete Sports Network is turning up the volume with the Winter Sports Business Conference, happening January 14–20, 2026 — a full week designed to help you connect, collaborate, and grow your sports organization or brand. This isn’t your typical conference. It’s where sports meets purpose, and where genuine relationships lead to real business. Why This Conference Matters If you work in sports, tourism, corporate or community engagement, you already know that relationships drive everything. The Compete Winter Sports Business Conference brings together sports organizers, tourism pros, corporate partners, community leaders, and small business owners who believe in growing their organization. This year marks Compete’s sixth consecutive time returning to Las Vegas, but it’s the first year partnering with the Sports Philanthropy Network, adding even more depth to the conversations around purpose-driven sports and business growth. What to Expect Things kick off Wednesday night with a Welcome Reception—a casual networking event that sets the tone for the week. Thursday is packed with sessions, business building opportunities, and conversations around: · Building your organization · Connecting with others to support your business · Turning your passion for sports into long-term business success The night ends with a signature Compete tradition: the 2026 Compete Sports For All™ Awards, better known as the Petey Awards. Now in its 16th year, the Peteys celebrate the people and organizations making real change in sports—our “History and Heroes” from around the country. The Bigger Picture At its heart, the Compete Winter Sports Business Conference is about connection. It’s about leaving Vegas with new ideas, new partners, and new energy for the year ahead. Whether you’re a league director, tourism professional, or entrepreneur, you’ll find people who speak your language—people who believe that sports should unite, not divide. This isn’t a one-off event. It’s part of a bigger movement: Sports For All™. Join Us in Las Vegas Contact Trayer Martinez, SDLT to join in Las Vegas!
When the TEAMS ’25 Conference convened this October at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, the spotlight shined on a leader who’s spent his career proving that inclusion isn’t just good business — it’s essential business. Dr. William “Bill” Kapfer, global head of supplier diversity ,community engagement at JPMorganChase, was honored as the 2025 Compete Sports Network Person of the Year, presented in partnership with Northstar Meetings Group and American Exchange. The award recognized a lifetime of work dedicated to creating opportunity, access and equality across both business and sport — values that lie at the heart of Compete Sports Network’s mission of Sports For All™. For more than a decade, Kapfer has been one of corporate America’s most effective advocates for supplier inclusion.
Compete Sports Network is proud to showcase upcoming sports events produced by our Compete member organizers, furthering our mission of Sports For All™.
As we gear up for the 2025 Compete Women's Leadership Summit on October 8-9 in Wesley Chaple, we want to recognize the achievements and contributions of women athletes throughout history. To say that women have faced immense challenges in the world of sports hardly begins to describe it. From being barred from competition to battling for equal playing space and equipment to equal television rights and equal pay – it’s been a long battle for true recognition. Yet in spite of these obstacles, female athletes have broken records, shattered barriers and paved the way for future generations of girls and women athletes. One of these pioneers was Wilma Rudolph, who overcame polio as a child to become the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at the 1960 Olympic Games held in Rome. Her dominance on the track inspired countless young girls to pursue athletics. Another pioneer is Billie Jean King who single handedly has changed the face of women’s tennis in particular and women’s sports in general. Some may only remember her 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, proving that women players were as good or better than the men and deserved equal prize money. In 1974 she founded the Women’s Sports Foundation that advocates for girls and women in sports through a number of avenues, including research, financial assistance to aspiring female athletes and opportunities for both girls and women to participate in sports.
