The Wisconsin Women's Soccer Advisory Council together with Wisconsin Youth Soccer Association is proud to present the 2025 Women in Sport Symposium. From within the Wisconsin border and beyond, this event brings together the framework of our sport — coaches, administrators, officials and sports science experts.
 
The Symposium is the pinnacle of the year for our membership to both energize and educate our community leaders, to Celebrate Females in Soccer. We salute the trailblazers who have paved the way for the next generation, to close the gap in equality for an enriched player experience and drive for credible leadership. Our guest speakers are a blend of local, national and international expertise to address on and off the field topics to not only improve our female player’s experience in the game, but also to provide valued career opportunities.
 
Thanks to our partners for supporting and promoting our endeavors—the future of Wisconsin Women in Sport has never looked so bright!

Click here to register!

Saturday, February 22, 2025
Brookfield Conference Center (325 S Moorland Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005)
$125/person

Groups of 8 or more can receive a discounted rate, contact Melissa Zielinski at mzielinski@wiyouthsoccer.com for more information.

Parking
There is free parking onsite.

Accommodations
Coming soon!

Meals
Your event registration includes lunch and beverage service throughout the day.

Philanthropic Partners
Each year we partner with a different philanthropic group furthering our mission to provide a lifelong positive experience by engaging, supporting, and advocating for females in the Wisconsin soccer community. This year's philanthropic partner is The Sports Bra Project! The Sports Bra Project provides new sports bras to girls & women in areas where the lack of access to this basic piece of equipment can prevent participation in sports. For each sports bra donated you will receive one raffle ticket.

Breakout 1: Developing Girls in Sport/Pathways to Stay in the Game
This module will inform you about the assets, positive outcomes, and benefits that can result when girls participate in sport and the importance of your role in creating a climate where girls reach their full potential.

Breakout 2: Coaching Girls
This module is central to Coaching HER® and will outline common coach perceptions about coaching girls, and how these perceptions can undermine girls’ experience in sport. It will also help you coach girls more effectively, so that more girls get into, engage, and stay in sport. 

Breakout 3: U.S Center for Mental Health & Sport
The U.S. Center for Mental Health & Sport (US-MHS) offers specialized training on risk and protective factors in the sports environment. Their programming has emerged as a leader in athlete mental health, focusing on behaviors and initiatives to support athletes’ well-being. US-MHS provides best practices for athletes, coaches, officials, parents, and administrators, drawing on scholarly research to define each role in supporting athlete mental health. Aiming to raise awareness and prevent issues like depression, anxiety, and suicide, US-MHS partners with organizations like US Youth Soccer and the American Youth Soccer Organization. They have also collaborated with US Soccer. 

Dr. Nicole LaVoi
Director of the Tucker Center
This year's symposium will feature Nicole LaVoi, Ph.D., author, Senior Lecturer, and Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota. A tennis coach turned scholar, her multidisciplinary research answers critical questions that can make a difference in the lives of sport stakeholders—particularly, girls and women. Known internationally for her work, Dr. LaVoi most recently presented at the Olympic Games in Paris, France. 

Alicia Pelton
Coaching HER Program Director
As Tucker Center Coaching HER Program Director and Founder of the Athletic Leadership Alliance, Alicia shares over 30 years of experience in sports across various roles. A track and field student-athlete at UW-Madison, Alicia has a deep appreciation for the female athlete pathway. She has been instrumental in promoting female participation and leadership, co-founding the Wisconsin Women’s Soccer Advisory Council, and growing girls’ hockey in Wisconsin. 

Margaret Domka
Executive Director of the U.S Center for Mental Health and Sport
Margaret Domka, a Wisconsin native, is the co-founder of the U.S Center for Mental Health & Sport, and current Executive Director. A former FIFA Women’s World Cup Referee, Margaret is a PhD candidate at Clemson University. Her team highlights often-overlooked mental health challenges in sports and is dedicated to helping athletes and their support networks #StayInTheGame.

Coming soon!