Keep Her in the Game is a first-of-its-kind soccer-based program to support and empower adolescent girls and their soccer coaches.
What is Gotham FC’s Keep Her in the Game Program?
It’s a historic moment in women's sports, and yet the U.S. is failing to keep girls in the game:
2X
By age 14, girls drop out of sports at almost twice the rate of boys
1.3M
Girls have 1.3 million fewer opportunities to play high-school sports than boys
Keep Her in the Game (KHITG), presented by Dove, tackles the high rates at which girls drop out of sports by age 14. The program is designed to empower the trusted adults in girls’* lives – their coaches and parents – with research-backed trainings to help girls develop leadership skills, find their voices, and stay committed to the sport. Keep Her in the Game additionally delivers moments of joy and connection for the girls themselves through unique access to Gotham FC players and experiences at Sports Illustrated Stadium.
*“Girl” includes anyone who identifies as a girl, as well as non-binary and gender expansive youth.
359
coaches trained
85%
of surveyed coaches said KHITG them foster connection and community amongst their players
7,401
girls reached across New Jersey and New York
100%
of girls surveyed saw themselves playing soccer next year
350+
parents hosted for workshops on raising resilient athletes
100%
of caregivers said our workshop increased their confidence in supporting their daughter's emotional and social needs in sport
KHITG Coach Expectations & Commitments
- KHITG trains U11-U14 girls’ soccer coaches in a research-backed curriculum to help support the growth and development of youth players.
- As a KHITG Coach, you will commit to a one-year opportunity:
- Complete one two-hour training in August 2027 hosted by industry experts
- Receive full access to the KHITG Curriculum (social emotional learning activities to integrate into soccer practice)
- Get access to Parent Workshops and a Spring “refresher” Coach Training
- Receive exclusive access to Gotham FC opportunities (player visits, tickets to home games, etc.)
- Additional resources & opportunities via Dove Body Confident Sport program
Our current cohort is running now from 2026-2027.
How Does Dove Body Confident Sport integrate with Keep Her in the Game?
Keep Her in the Game is proudly presented by Dove. Through our partnership, we're able to bring powerful, complementary resources from Dove Body Confident Sport programming to our community. 1 in 2 girls who quit sports are criticized for their body type. Dove is working to change that by making sports a place where all girls can thrive, feel confident in their bodies, and know they belong.
Body Confident Sport is the first-ever evidence-based tool proven to build body confidence in girls ages 11–17, empowering coaches, caregivers, and mentors to help girls stay in the game. Through our partnership with Dove, we're bringing these resources together with Keep Her in the Game to strengthen body confidence and mental resilience among young athletes.
Body Confident Athletes is a coach-led program that equips girls with the knowledge and skills to feel confident in their bodies. It features three scientifically validated modules designed to help keep girls in the game.
If you coach girls ages 11–17, visit bodyconfidentsport.com to explore and download Session 1 of Body Confident Athletes and help #KeepHerConfident.
Coming Spring 2027: Coaches' Corner / Grow the Game Innovation Lab
Have a question about how to support keeping the girls you coach in the game? We want to hear it!
We’re launching a new advice column featuring Dr. Jia, Keep Her in the Game’s curriculum expert. From navigating team dynamics to building confidence and resilience, Dr. Jia will answer real questions from coaches and share practical advice to help you better support your players.
Keep Her in the Game Community Updates
General KHITG x Gotham Announcements
Stay tuned for our 2026 Impact Report!
KHITG in the Community
Gotham FC Player Visits
Through practice visits, Gotham FC players Meredith Speck, Andrea Kitahata, and Kayla Duran joined local youth teams and participated in KHITG activities that fostered teamwork, trust, and confidence while creating meaningful connections with the next generation of athletes.
KHITG Coach Training
In August 2026, Gotham FC hosted a Keep Her in the Game Coach training at our headquarters in Jersey City. Coaches came together to build skills, explore practical strategies, and learn how to better support girls’ social and emotional well-being in sports.
Coach Spotlight
Coach Jason and Coach Jordan of the Norwalk Junior Soccer Association worked with their players to create a team contract, establishing shared values, expectations, and commitments to help everyone feel supported, respected, and included!
Gotham FC Player Visits
Through practice visits, Gotham FC players Meredith Speck, Andrea Kitahata, and Kayla Duran joined local youth teams and participated in KHITG activities that fostered teamwork, trust, and confidence while creating meaningful connections with the next generation of athletes.
KHITG Coach Training
In August 2026, Gotham FC hosted a Keep Her in the Game Coach training at our headquarters in Jersey City. Coaches came together to build skills, explore practical strategies, and learn how to better support girls’ social and emotional well-being in sports.
Coach Spotlight
Coach Jason and Coach Jordan of the Norwalk Junior Soccer Association worked with their players to create a team contract, establishing shared values, expectations, and commitments to help everyone feel supported, respected, and included!
