Supporting girls in sports involves understanding a female's unique physical and emotional needs. From injury prevention to mental resilience, these five websites provide expert-backed information to help parents navigate the journey of raising a healthy, confident female athlete.
Women’s Sports Foundation - The Original Women's Resource
What it is: The Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. It offers a wealth of free curricula, guides, articles, and research reports tailored to coaches, parents, and athletes.
Why we like it: WSF champions girl athletes holistically—boosting confidence, leadership, body image, and mental wellbeing. Resources like Sports‑4‑Life Guides, “Confidence” curriculum, and We Play Interactive are thoughtfully designed to help girls thrive not just in sport, but in life .
Recognize to Recover – ACL Injury Prevention
What it is: Recognize to Recover, developed by U.S. Soccer, offers comprehensive resources on preventing ACL injuries, which are notably prevalent among female athletes. The site includes guidelines on neuromuscular training, proper techniques and risk factors associated with ACL injuries.
Why we like it: The platform provides actionable strategies and exercises to help reduce the risk of ACL injuries, empowering parents and coaches with knowledge to keep young athletes safe on the field.
Australian Institute of Sport – Menstrual Health Resources
What it is: The Australian Institute of Sport offers a collection of resources focused on menstrual health for female athletes. These include fact sheets, infographics and guidelines to help understand and manage the menstrual cycle in relation to athletic performance.
Why we like it: These resources demystify the impact of the menstrual cycle on athletic performance, providing parents with insights to support their daughters' training and well-being throughout the month.
HerAthlete – Nutrition and Body Literacy
What it is: HerAthlete provides free resources designed for athletes, coaches, parents and healthcare providers, focusing on evidence-based nutrition education and body literacy for female athletes.
Why we like it: This platform addresses the critical issue of nutrition and body awareness in sports, offering tools to foster self-esteem and body confidence in female athletes.
The Hidden Opponent - Mental Health Resources
What it is: The Hidden Opponent is a nonprofit organization focused on student-athlete mental health, founded by former USC volleyball player Victoria Garrick Brown. It offers free blog posts, athlete stories, videos, and advocacy resources that aim to destigmatize mental health struggles in sports.
Why we like it: It speaks directly to the emotional pressures girls face in sports—body image, burnout, anxiety—through relatable voices and real stories. It's a safe and empowering space for athletes to feel seen and supported.
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