IGNITEHer: Strengthening the Girls’ Game Across Our Communities
Jan. 17, 2026
IGNITEHer: Strengthening the Girls’ Game Across Our Communities
Over the past several seasons, the Big Country Soccer Association (BCSA) has taken intentional steps to reflect on how we serve all players across our district. Through conversations with families, clubs, volunteers, and community leaders, one message has become increasingly clear: supporting girls in soccer requires purposeful focus, consistent values, and long-term commitment.
In response, BCSA is proud to introduce the IGNITEHer Girls Program Document — a guiding framework designed to strengthen the girls’ game across our communities by creating environments where girls feel they belong, are supported to develop, and are encouraged to stay connected to soccer for life.
Why the Focus on Girls?
Girls continue to enter soccer with enthusiasm, curiosity, and potential. Yet across Canada — and within rural and smaller communities in particular — participation often declines as girls grow older. This is rarely due to lack of ability or interest. More often, girls step away when they no longer feel connected, supported, or able to see themselves within the future of the game.
BCSA’s focus on girls is not about creating separation — it is about strengthening inclusion.
We recognize that girls thrive when programs are intentionally designed with:
Safe, welcoming environments
Age-appropriate development
Positive role models and leadership pathways
Consistent messaging across clubs and communities
By addressing these areas with clarity and care, we can help ensure that girls not only start in soccer — but choose to stay.
What Is IGNITEHer?
IGNITEHer is a district-wide commitment, not a single program or event.
The IGNITEHer Girls Program Document outlines:
Why this initiative exists
How girls are supported through a clear development pathway
What shared values guide decisions and program design
How clubs can support and align with the direction of the girls’ game
At the heart of the document are five guiding pillars that shape how girls’ experiences are created across BCSA communities. These pillars provide consistency while allowing clubs the flexibility to implement them in ways that reflect their unique capacity, culture, and needs.
A Shared Direction for Community Clubs
BCSA is a district made up of diverse community clubs — each with its own strengths, challenges, and realities. IGNITEHer was intentionally designed to support this diversity, not replace it.
The document includes practical tools such as:
A Program Pathway Overview for girls and female leaders
A Club Assessment Checklist to support reflection and planning
A “What Success Looks Like” guide focused on progress, not perfection
Together, these resources help clubs align with a shared direction while continuing to grow at a pace that is right for their community.
Beyond the Player: Supporting Female Leadership
A key component of IGNITEHer is recognizing that a strong girls’ game depends on strong female leadership.
IGNITEHer supports pathways not only for players, but also for:
Coaches
Match officials
Mentors
Volunteers
Mothers and women looking to learn more about the game
By creating learning, mentorship, and connection opportunities for women, BCSA aims to strengthen clubs from within and provide visible role models for the next generation of girls in soccer.
Looking Ahead
IGNITEHer represents a long-term commitment by BCSA to:
Create safe, positive environments for girls
Support quality, development-focused experiences
Build leadership capacity across communities
Work collaboratively with clubs, families, and volunteers
This initiative will continue to evolve as we listen, learn, and grow together.
We invite all community clubs, families, and partners to explore the IGNITEHer Girls Program Document, reflect on how it aligns with their current efforts, and take part in shaping the future of the girls’ game across our district.
Together, we can create a soccer community where girls feel they belong — and where they are supported to grow, lead, and stay connected to the game.
Learn More
The full IGNITEHer Girls Program Document is now available on the BCSA website. Clubs and community members are encouraged to review the document and reach out with questions, ideas, or interest in future initiatives.
