Rush Soccer Partners with Coaching HER® to Keep Girls in the Game

Rush Soccer has officially partnered with Coaching HER®, a groundbreaking initiative from the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. Designed in collaboration with Nike, Coaching HER® is a free, research-based coach education platform that equips coaches with tools to better support and retain girls in sport.

Alicia Pelton, Program Director of Coaching HER®, recently spoke with Rush Soccer to share how the partnership will make a meaningful impact across Rush Nation.

“I reached out to Rush after seeing their clear commitment to supporting girls through sport,” said Pelton. “Coaching HER® is all about helping coaches understand how to meet girls where they are,so they can feel confident, competent, and connected.”

Nearly 50% of girls drop out of sports by the age of 14. Pelton emphasized that it’s not due to lack of interest or ability, but often because the environment doesn’t fully support their social, emotional, and physical development.

Coaching HER® addresses this gap with six evidence-informed modules, covering topics such as:

– Creating trust-based, inclusive team cultures

– Coaching through the lens of body confidence

– Supporting athletes through menstrual health considerations

– Recognizing invisible challenges athletes may carry off the field

Rush Soccer will be integrating these modules into its national coaching development initiatives, making them available to all coaches across its network. We will work together to establish shared goals around coach engagement, player retention, and expanding pathways for women in coaching.

“This isn’t just about helping girls stay in the game. It’s about developing better coaches and stronger teams across the board,” Pelton noted.

To get started or learn more, visit coachingher.com. This partnership reflects Rush Soccer’s broader commitment to equity, leadership, and long-term development for all athletes.

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About Rush Soccer

Formed in 1997, Rush Soccer is the largest youth soccer organization in the world with more than 60,000 players in 50 countries. Comprised of 175 clubs around the globe, Rush Soccer has cultivated a reputation of excellence on and off the field all while maintaining a local feel in the communities we serve. This expansive global footprint provides unparalleled opportunities for our entire player base to pursue pathways all the way to the highest level of professional soccer. Our breadth and depth of programs support our network of local clubs, coaches, staff, and partners. For more information about Rush Soccer, visit www.rushsoccer.com.

Media Contacts:
Rush Soccer Media Relations
Phone: (833) 546-7874
Email: marketing@rushsoccer.com