WHO WE ARE
Play Gap is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that expands awareness, accessibility and support for women’s sports opportunities. Since 2018, we have created connections for recreational and club teams to spread the physical, social, and mental health benefits of sports to more women in the community.
Formerly known as the Northeast Ohio Women’s Sports Alliance, Play Gap has evolved to extend beyond its regional efforts to address the wide-spread challenges experienced by adult women in sports.
Our mission is to champion equity and accessibility in sport for adult women.
OUR WHY
Athletes and coaches face inevitable transitions in their sports involvement from aging out of an educational setting, injury, relocating, family planning and more. These factors, combined with the systemic gap in resources and media coverage for women’s athletics, make it difficult for women to find, enter, and stay in a sport in adulthood.
OUR VISION
We believe women everywhere should have equal access to safe, inclusive sport.
Founders
Through conversations with Cleveland-area women’s sports teams and their own first-hand experiences, Barb and Elise recognized a consistent gap in resources and support for adult women in recreational sports.
Together they decided to create a one-of-a-kind organization dedicated to empowering women in the underrepresented realm of community-based sports.
Barb Anthony, MSSA, LISW-S
Co-Founder and Executive Director
barb@play-gap.org
Elise Vue
Co-Founder and Director of Marketing
elise@play-gap.org
Board of Directors
Contact our Board President, Elizabeth Emery, with any questions or to discuss open positions at emeryspeaking@gmail.com
Elizabeth Emery
Host/Producer of Hear Her Sports podcast, Board President
Sheri Slater
Plant Controller, Marlowe Appraisal Inc, Board Treasurer
Lisa Thuer
Director of Development, Women's Sports Foundation
Darlene Gordon
Athletic Administrator
Lena Harris, LPC, NCC
Athletic Counselor - Cleveland State University
Carol Mack
Owner, CLE Sports PT & Performance,
Board Secretary
Gardenia Hardee
Ramona Paul, Founder and Coach of AFC Empower, Board Volunteer Coordinator
Advisors
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Mark Starkey
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Maggie Keenan
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Johanna Henz
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Ron Soeder
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Michael Murphy
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Dr. Laurel Beverley