New York, NY (November 21, 2019) – In an effort to create change in the leadership pipeline in football, the Women’s Sports Foundation announced today the inaugural grant recipients for the Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches and Scouts. The grants help support female football coaches and scouts with financial assistance while they advance their career.
Three recipients were chosen, hailing from the NFL and college football, and have varying backgrounds in the sport of football. The inaugural grant recipients are:
Heather Marini – Offensive Quality Control, Brown University
Jennifer King – Quality Control, Dartmouth College
Salli Clavelle – Pro Personnel Analyst, San Francisco 49ers
The Pioli & Family Fund is designed to help ensure that women enter the leadership pipeline in football. As such, these grants will have a resounding impact far beyond the three individual recipients receiving this inaugural funding.
“Receiving this grant means validation for my choice of profession and the ability to plan into the future,” Marini said. “Most importantly though, this means staying in football – so that one more little girl can see what she can be when she grows up and one more little boy picks her for his team.”
The Pioli & Family Fund was started to create opportunities to bring more women into football and to support the development, education and training of aspiring female football coaches and scouts. Women have made advancements on the field, both as coaches and with the upward trend in the number of girls playing football across the country.
“The Women’s Sports Foundation is proud to recognize the accomplishments of these impressive women and to support their tremendous potential,” said WSF CEO, Deborah Antoine. “Our Foundation’s vision is for every girl and woman to have the opportunity to realize her power and unlock her potential through the benefits of sport. The Scott Pioli & Family Fund helps us bring that vision to life, forging a path for women in football which, no doubt, will have great impact both on and off the field.”
For more information about the Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches and Scouts including selection criteria, application guidelines or how to make a gift, visit wsfstaging.wpengine.com/wsf_programs/piolifund. Grants will be made through a rolling, year-round selection process.
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About the Women’s Sports Foundation
The Women’s Sports Foundation exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. We are an ally, an advocate and a catalyst. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, we strengthen and expand participation and leadership opportunities through research, advocacy, community programming and a wide variety of collaborative partnerships. The Women’s Sports Foundation has positively shaped the lives of millions of youth, high school and collegiate student-athletes, elite athletes and coaches. We’re building a future where every girl and woman can #KeepPlaying and unlock the lifelong benefits of sport participation. All girls. All women. All sports. To learn more about the Women’s Sports Foundation, please visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org
Media Contact:
Patty Bifulco
Women’s Sports Foundation
631.230.3322
PBifulco@WomensSportsFoundation.org