The statistics tell a grim story. On average, girls have 1.3 million fewer opportunities to play high school sports than boys. By age 13, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys. Only one-fourth of girls in low-income households currently participate in sports. These
disparities deprive girls – both in our community and across the nation — of the numerous benefits that sports provide: better physical, mental, and emotional health, close bonds forged on the playing field and enhanced career prospects. In fact, 94% of women
executives in C-suite roles played sports growing up.
These troubling statistics are not just numbers – they represent real-life barriers that prevent young girls from accessing opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives. From the skills they gain on the field to the confidence they build through competition, sports can have a profound impact on a girl’s personal and professional future. Yet these opportunities are far from equally available to all girls, especially in areas like Monterey County, where girls face additional cultural barriers. In many Latino families, traditional gender roles often prioritize family duties over participation in sports for young women. For others, the rising costs of youth sports can make it financially challenging to participate, particularly for girls, who may face additional financial and societal hurdles. These systemic challenges often leave girls without access to the same opportunities as their male peers, contributing to the persistent gender disparity in sports.
However, there are efforts to bridge this gap, and one notable initiative is at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, a non-profit sports facility dedicated to creating safe and inclusive spaces for the families of Monterey County. In an effort to level the playing field, the complex has a long-standing policy to provide free usage of the heritage grass fields to girls and women’s leagues. That has always been our practice and it will continue.
One other significant effort aimed at narrowing the gender gap in sports is the upcoming She Kicks Classic high school soccer tournament, which will be held at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex the week of Dec. 7. This all-girls tournament is the first of its kind to take
place in the Salinas Valley, offering a unique opportunity for female athletes to compete at a high level. The She Kicks Classic tournament will be held immediately following the Kickoff Celebration for the two newly installed turf fields at Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. In a powerful testament to the importance of parity in sports, She Kicks Classic will be the first event to utilize these new fields. This symbolic moment not only provides young women with a state-of-the-art space to compete, but also advocates for a future where girls have the same access to athletic opportunities as boys, with the ability to develop their skills, build confidence and pursue their dreams.
As we celebrate these efforts, it’s crucial to remember that creating parity in sports is about more than just providing access – it’s about changing the cultural narrative around girls and athletics, and ensuring that all young women have the support, resources, an opportunities they need to succeed. When we invest in girls’ sports, we are not just offering them a chance to play; we are giving them a platform to grow, excel, and lead. Through initiatives like those at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, we are working toward a future where girls have every opportunity to thrive, both on and off the field.
The community is invited to join the celebration and witness the official opening of the new fields, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m., Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, 1440 Constitution Blvd, Salinas.
Guest commentary published in the Monterey Herald
Kurt Gollnick and Catherine Kobrinsky Evans
