Game On: April and May Highlights
Celebrating Growth, Community, and Impact!
Over the past couple of months, we’ve seen incredible momentum—not just on the field but across our entire community. One of the biggest highlights was our collaboration with the local influencer Evan Cooper.
Thanks to Evan, our social media presence has grown significantly, and we've seen a surge in volunteer interest and community engagement. It's been amazing to watch new faces reach out, eager to get involved and support our work. This kind of growth reminds us that when we share our story authentically, it resonates and inspires action.
We’re grateful for every like, share, and sign-up, and even more grateful for the people behind them. Here's to the power of connection, creativity, and community!
What’s inside… 👇🏼
Program Update
Upcoming Events
Highlights from April & May
What’s Happening in Women’s Sports
How Can You Help?
Programs Update
We concluded our first Playfit spring programs on April 10th! This single-sport after-school initiative, held in partnership with four Charleston County elementary schools, gave young girls the chance to explore soccer, build confidence, and develop leadership through play.
Upcoming Events
🏋️♂️ Booth at Mitch-a-Palooza
Honor Mitch Darnton, the founder of TQN Training, and celebrate his life of impact by participating in the 4th Annual Mitch-a-Palooza
📅 Date: June 7th
📍 Location: Wilson Field 501 Wilson Avenue, Charleston, SC
⌚ Time: 8 am - 12 pm
⚾️ Girls in Sports Night @ Charleston RiverDogs
Stop by our booth and equipment drive on June 14th.
📅 Date: June 14th
📍 Location: Joe Riley Stadium, 360 Fishburne Street
⌚ Time: 4-7 pm
Highlights
Evan Cooper Media Day
As mentioned above, we had an amazing collaboration with local influencer Evan Cooper on April 26th, capturing powerful visuals that highlight the spirit of our mission. The video showcases our girls in action! Be sure to check it out on our Instagram or Evan Cooper’s page for an inspiring look at our work in motion!
Gear up For Girls @ Blue Sky Endurance
Our Gear Up for Girls event at Blue Sky Endurance on April 7th was a huge success! It was an exciting day filled with energy, fun, and a shared passion for empowering young female athletes. Attendees had the chance to win amazing prizes through our raffle, enjoy exclusive deals, and donate gently used sports equipment as part of our gear drive! The event also featured an inspiring keynote from Kathleen Wilson, a marathon swimmer, who brought her Olympic torch for us to see! A huge thank you to Blue Sky Endurance for hosting and supporting this incredible event, and to everyone who participated and donated. Your support helps ensure that every young athlete has the gear and opportunities they need to succeed!
West Ashley Paisano’s Fundraiser
On May 12th, we partnered with Paisano’s Pizza in West Ashley for another successful fundraiser. A portion of the evening's proceeds went directly to Leveling the Fields, helping us sustain and expand our impact. We’re incredibly thankful to Paisano’s for their generosity and to all who dined in support of our mission. The turnout was fantastic—the delicious food made the evening even better!
Sponsor & Donor Spotlight: Thank You for Fueling Our Mission
Real change happens when passionate people and generous partners unite. We're deeply grateful to our sponsors and donors who support our mission to empower young girls through sports. Your contributions do more than provide funding—they transform lives, offering girls confidence, leadership, and lifelong skills.
This month, we’re proud to spotlight Jimmy Farrell and The Farrell Group for their generous support - our first official sponsor!
Jimmy Farrell has invested in our programs in a meaningful way, helping us expand access and provide the resources our young athletes need to grow and succeed. His contribution plays a direct role in allowing us to offer more programming, purchase essential equipment, and create more opportunities for girls to get involved in sports.
We’re honored to have The Farrell Group as part of the Leveling the Fields family. Their support is helping us build a future where all girls feel empowered to lead, play, and thrive.
Thank you, Jimmy Farrell and The Farrell Group, for helping us level the playing field.
We’re also so excited to shine a light on someone who’s shown incredible support for Leveling the Fields—Claire Coletti!
We first met Claire at an event we participated in at Baseline - A Sasser Studio, and it was clear from the start that she shares our passion for empowering young girls through sports. Since then, Claire has been a wonderful supporter of our mission, helping us spread awareness and cheering us on as we continue to grow.
Supporters like Claire help amplify our impact, and we are so grateful for her kindness, encouragement, and belief in what we’re building. Whether it's showing up, sharing our work, or simply being a voice in our corner, it truly makes a difference.
Thank you, Claire, for standing with us and helping us level the playing field—your support means more than you know.
What’s Happening In Women’s Sports?!
Expansion of the FIFA Women's World Cup to 48 Teams in 2031
FIFA has confirmed that the Women's World Cup will expand to 48 teams in 2031, with the United States expected to host the tournament. This expansion aims to increase global representation and provide more opportunities for female athletes worldwide. U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson expressed strong support for this expansion, highlighting its potential to grow the women's game.
Increased Media Coverage of Women's Sports
Media coverage of women’s sports has tripled over the past five years, with major networks like ESPN and CBS Sports dedicating more airtime and digital space to female athletes. This rise in visibility is more than a trend—it’s a powerful step toward equity, ensuring that young girls see strong, successful role models in the sports world. As coverage grows, so does the opportunity to inspire the next generation of athletes and foster lasting change in how we value women in sports.
Soccer star Alex Morgan has joined the ownership group of San Diego Wave FC as a minority investor.
After playing for the team and helping shape its early success, she’s now taking on a leadership role off the field. Her investment supports the continued growth of women’s professional soccer and reflects a long-term commitment to empowering the next generation of female athletes—something deeply aligned with Leveling the Fields’ mission.
How Can You Help?
🩷 Donate: Your generous contribution helps fund scholarships, sports gear, and programs that give girls the tools they need to succeed. Every donation counts!
📲 Follow Us: Stay connected on social media for updates, event highlights, and ways you can get involved.
👉 Join the Steering Committee: We’re looking for dedicated individuals to join our Steering Committee! Email Melyssa@levelingthefields.org
✨Attend an Event: We host several events throughout the year. Join us, share with your circle, and help us grow!
