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History

All Girls Deserve a Chance to Play
In 1995, a small group of women set out to ensure that girls in Chicago had access to sports and fitness opportunities. They recognized that their participation in sports as girls helped them develop the strength, voice, and confidence they needed to succeed as adults.

After surveying the services and opportunities in Chicago, they discovered that despite the passage of Title IX, girls had few opportunities to participate in athletics. In February 1995, they founded A Sporting Chance Foundation (the original name of Girls in the Game) to level the playing field for all girls.

Getting in the Game
By 2000, A Sporting Chance Foundation was reaching 200 girls a year and growing fast. Girls needed sports and fitness programs, but they also asked for nutrition and health education, and leadership development workshops – and A Sporting Chance listened. In 2003, the girls helped the organization expand the mission and change the name of the organization to Girls in the Game.

Moving Forward Together
Girls in the Game is successful in part because of strong collaborations with the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Public Schools. In 2003, in recognition of the services Girls in the Game provides to the city, Mayor Daley provided the organization with headquarters in Union Park Fieldhouse. Girls in the Game runs programming at Union Park and many other parks and schools throughout Chicagoland. To learn more, please visit the Programs page. Throughout Girls in the Game’s history, the kind support of donors, sponsors and volunteers has made all the difference for the girls involved. To get involved contact Girls in the Game at info@girlsinthegame.org or 312.633.GAME (4263).