The Global Community Of Women In High School Sports

What The Global Community Of Women In High School Sports does

The Global Community of Women in High School Sports is a privately held membership organization founded in 2020 by Jen Brooks, CMAA, an award-winning athletic director with over three decades of experience in educational athletics. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri with 1-10 employees, the organization serves women serving as athletic directors, coaches, athletic trainers, and other leadership roles in U.S. high school and educational athletics, addressing isolation, lack of mentorship, and limited professional networks specific to women in male-dominated sports leadership environments. The organization operates a 50-state-leader volunteer network plus international representation, and has run consecutive annual awards cycles from 2022-2023 through 2025-2026.

The company delivers a portfolio of membership-based services rather than technology products. Core offerings include a free membership program, a structured mentor program, state-leader network, the Leslie Moore Legacy Award and Peg Pennepacker Paving the Way Award plus annual award cycles, a speakers bureau, job listings for athletic administration and coaching roles, master classes and virtual events, a members-only community hub (with archived video hosted on Vimeo), shared resources and templates, and Global Gear branded merchandise. The platform relies on third-party integrations including Final Forms for membership signup, Vimeo for video hosting, and Google Docs for resource sharing; no proprietary AI or technology stack is disclosed.

The business model is freemium at the core, with membership access made free and open as of June 1. Monetization is diversified across four ancillary streams: merchandise sales through an integrated online storefront, speaking engagement fees via the speakers bureau featuring the founder and other named speakers, employer-paid job postings for athletic administration and coaching roles, and partner-sourced revenue from a tiered partner program (Platinum, Silver, Associate). Marketing and growth are community-led, relying on the 50-state leader network, word-of-mouth referrals, and organic presence across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

Name

The Global Community Of Women In High School Sports

Legal name

The Global Community of Women in High School Sports

Website

https://globalcommunityofwomeninsports.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Global Community of Women in High School Sports is a privately held, membership-based community organization founded in 2020 that connects women in U.S. high school athletics leadership through free membership, mentorship, awards, and a 50-state-plus-international volunteer network, monetizing via merchandise, speaking fees, and job listings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Athletic Leadership Community Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKAFAG

University/School Sport Governing Bodies (Collegiate/Scholastic Associations)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Rights Holders & Governing Bodies (Federations, Associations, Sanctioning Bodies)

SECONDARYMPAKAFAF

Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Rights Holders & Governing Bodies (Federations, Associations, Sanctioning Bodies)

Keywords

• Women sports leadership
• Athletic mentorship programs
• High school athletics
• Community networking platform
• Educational sports resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership: Free membership providing access to community resources, mentorship programs, job listings, master classes, and networking opportunities. The organization transitioned to free and open membership access.
2. Global Gear Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including women's and men's apparel and accessories through an online storefront.
3. Speaking Fees: Revenue generated from speaking engagements through the Speakers Bureau, featuring founder Jen Brooks and other speakers for conferences, schools, and organizations.
4. Job Listings: Organizations submit job postings for positions including Athletic Directors, coaches, athletic trainers, and other educational athletics roles.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Global Community of Women in High School Sports operates a free national membership network connecting women who serve in high school athletics leadership roles (athletic directors, coaches, athletic trainers). Members gain access to a mentor program, awards recognition, speakers bureau, state-level connector network, master classes and virtual events, shared resources and templates, job listings board, and a members-only community hub with archived video content. The organization also sells Global Gear branded merchandise to support community identity and generates revenue through paid speaking engagements and job posting fees.

Product overview

The Global Community of Women in High School Sports is a community organization offering a portfolio of membership-based services rather than a traditional tech product. The core offering is a free membership program that provides access to a national network, mentor program, awards recognition, speakers bureau, state leaders network, events, resources, job listings, and a members-only community hub. These services are offered as a unified community platform connecting women in high school athletics through connection, mentorship, growth, and sustainable leadership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program National membership network connecting women working in high school athletics through leadership, mentorship, resources, and meaningful connection. Free access began June 1.
• Mentor Program Structured mentorship program connecting women and allies in high school sports through meaningful relationships, shared experiences, and leadership support. Includes mentor resources, conversation starters, and suggested meeting formats.
• Global Community Awards Annual recognition program honoring women whose leadership, service, and courage shape high school sports. Includes Leslie Moore Legacy Award and Peg Pennepacker Paving the Way Award.
• Speakers Bureau Connects schools, conferences, organizations, and leadership groups with speakers including founder Jen Brooks, Coaching Kapwa, and Kari Ehmer for leadership development presentations.
• State Leaders Network Regional connector program with volunteer state leaders in all 50 US states and international locations who build community, share opportunities, and serve as advocates for women in high school sports.
• Events Program Upcoming events programming including Master Classes and virtual events for professional development and community connection in educational athletics.
• Shared Resources Library Shared leadership resources, templates, forms, checklists, and tools contributed by community members to support women in athletic administration and coaching.
• Job Listings Board Career platform sharing leadership opportunities, coaching positions, athletic administration openings, and career pathways within high school sports across the country.
• Community Hub (Members Only) Members-only portal providing access to past Master Classes, virtual events archive, leadership resources, and community content for registered members.
• Global Gear Merchandise Branded apparel and accessories including women's and men's items sold through an integrated online storefront to support the organization and promote community identity.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Digital ScoreboardscoreOthersPlatinum partner providing digital scoreboard solutions. Single-source partner for all digital scoreboard needs.
• Final FormscoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatinum partner providing streamlined registration, communication, and risk management solutions for schools. Powers the membership signup portal for the Global Community.
• Team Fritz GraphicssupportingOthersSilver partner specializing in highest-quality custom athletic graphics for all levels from youth to professional sports.
• Beacon CreativesupportingOthersSilver partner that transforms school tributes and helps celebrate school community history, proudest moments, and top role models.
• Educational AD PodcastsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociate partner podcast focused on supporting athletic directors through conversations about challenges and rewards of the role.
• sportsyousupportingTechnology or IntegrationAssociate partner providing a data-secure, school-safe, US-owned messaging platform built for coaches to enrich communities.
• BallfrogsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAssociate partner and leading provider of branded apps for high school athletics.
• K12 Sports TechsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate partner connecting athletic directors and sports tech vendors through expert consulting, thought leadership, and collaborative AD Think Tank.
• MVP AwardssupportingOthersAssociate partner providing diverse offering of authentic varsity recognition keepsakes to over 4,000 schools domestically and globally.
• Boxout SportssupportingTechnology or IntegrationAssociate partner enabling sports organizations to outperform competition's digital presence with stunning stills and dynamic motion graphics.
• Coaches' Tool ChestsupportingTechnology or IntegrationAssociate partner that trains coaches in state requirements, mental health, emergency response, social media and more through one platform.
• OlympussupportingTechnology or IntegrationAssociate partner providing the ultimate tool for coaches to organize, analyze, and visualize sports performance data.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Women in Sports Tech: Women in Sports Tech is a community organization advancing women across the sports technology ecosystem. While its focus is on the tech side of sports, it shares GCWHSS's community-led, mentorship-driven model and target of women professionals in sports.
• Women in Sports Commission (WISC): WISC is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women in sports through education, advocacy, and recognition. It runs awards and programming comparable to GCWHSS's awards and speaker programming, with a broader scope across levels of sport.

Broad incumbents

• National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA): NIAAA is the largest professional association for interscholastic athletic administrators in the US. GCWHSS operates as a women-focused community within the same target audience (athletic directors and school athletics leaders), making NIAAA the closest broad incumbent.
• Women's Sports Foundation: Founded by Billie Jean King, the Women's Sports Foundation is a long-standing advocacy and development organization for women in sport. It serves overlapping audiences and addresses leadership, equity, and Title IX issues also central to GCWHSS's mission.
• National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS): NFHS governs and serves administrators, coaches, and officials across US high school sports. It overlaps with GCWHSS's high school athletics audience and operates at national scale with broader institutional backing.

Direct peers

• Women in Sports and Events (WISE): WISE is a national membership network for women in the business of sports and events, with chapters, mentoring, and speakers. It shares GCWHSS's women-in-sports leadership development focus, though it spans the broader sports industry rather than high school specifically.
• Alliance of Women Coaches: Alliance of Women Coaches is a national organization supporting women in coaching roles across sport levels, including scholastic athletics. Its mentor, leadership, and networking offerings parallel GCWHSS's core programs.
• WeCOACH (formerly Women Leaders in College Sports): WeCOACH is a membership organization advancing women leaders in sports. While it historically focused on college athletics, its mission, mentor program, and advocacy model closely mirror GCWHSS's approach for the high school segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GCWHSS
• Facebookfacebook.com/GCWHSS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-global-community-of-women-in-high-school-sports
• Instagraminstagram.com/gcwhss_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Global Community Of Women In High School Sports