The Denver Nuggets and Nike take play seriously, announcing their partnership to launch Game Growers, a new program that invites girls across the country to create the inclusive, meaningful experiences in sport that they deserve, starting in Denver. The Game Growers program gives eighth grade girls the opportunity to work in pairs to develop ideas and collaborate with participating WNBA and NBA teams to inspire more girls in their community to play and love sports.
“Nike is joining forces with the WNBA and NBA to invite girls across the country to help us change the game,” said Caitlin Morris, General Manager of Nike Social & Community Impact. “We know that kids who play do better in every way – physically, emotionally and academically – yet this generation, and girls in particular, are the least active in history. We want girls today to be game changers and problem solvers, and Game Growers helps amplify their voices, lifts up their ideas and equips them to succeed – on the court and in life.”
By age 14, girls are dropping out of sport at twice the rate of boys. According to a 2018 study from the Women’s Sports Foundation, nearly 40 percent of girls don’t participate in sport, versus 25 percent of boys. Game Growers enables eighth grade girls to share their ideas for how to make sport more fun, starting in their hometown.
“Being able to share the love and fundamentals of basketball with girls in the Denver Metro Area is essential in helping to teach teamwork, patience, physicial fitness and leadership on and off the court,” said Nuggets Director of Team Operations/Player Development Amy O’ Brien. “The Denver Nuggets couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity to partner with Nike on their Game Growers campaign.”
Game Growers Timeline
- Teams of two eighth grade girls can apply now until Nov. 15, 2019 at 11:59 p.m. PST at www.gamegrowers.com.
- Game Growers participants will be notified by Dec. 15, 2019 and will earn a chance to develop their idea to get more girls playing sports in partnership with a WNBA or NBA team and Nike; they’ll also have the opportunity to attend the Game Growers Training Camp at Nike World Headquarters in January 2020.
Selected Game Growers Game Plans will be shared during the Game Growers Showcase at the 2020 WNBA Draft in April. Sign up here!