How we became the Women's Gridiron Foundation

 

The Fins Up! Foundation for Female Athletics was established in 2003 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, by Andra Douglas, owner of the New York Sharks Women's Professional Football Team. Her intention was to provide the opportunity for under served and "at-risk" girls under the age of 18 to learn the sport of football, coached by her players from the Sharks.

 

Since 2003, the Fins Up! Foundation has produced football clinics and camps for young girls in the New York Metro area. The camps have provided safe, fun and positive learning environments in which hundreds of girls have learned not only how to play football, but the essential "life skills" that come along with participating in them. Through our staff of energetic and seasoned leaders, the foundation has taught the concepts of teamwork, sportsmanship, respect (of oneself and others), and the benefit of maintaining a positive attitude.

 

In 2015 the Fins Up Foundation merged its programs and goals with a group founded by Rich Daniel and the Women's Gridiron foundation was formed. In doing so, our intention is to expand the unique Fins Up! Football Camps in cities across the country and the world, as well as offer additional programs to empower and support young girls both on and off the field of play. Our core values determine how we work with one another as we serve, partner and collaborate.

 

 

Core Values 

 

Respect

Passion

Honesty

Inclusiveness

Consistency

Responsiveness

Creativity and Innovation

Structure with flexibility

Compassion / Empathy

Generosity

Directness

Efficiency

Reliability

Positivity

Integrity