Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) is excited to announce She Plays Aurora, a campaign dedicated to inspiring girls to take part in youth sports programs across the city.
Why it Matters
Playing sports from a young age is proven to be a key driver of social and emotional development, and the city of Aurora wants to play its part in helping shape the health and well-being of its next generation of superstars.
In 2024, the Women’s Sports Foundation found that - alongside the benefits of regular physical activity – girls who play sports experience significantly lower rates of depression and anxiety compared to girls who have never participated, as well as a greater sense of purpose and belonging.
However, according to a 2025 study conducted by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in partnership with Nike, girls are underrepresented in youth sports programming in parks and recreation as compared to the U.S. population. Overall, only 35% of participants in youth sports programs are girls, despite making up 49% of the United States’ population under the age of 18.
In Aurora, that percentage is even less. Among the 450+ kids enrolled in PROS' Winter 2025 sports programming, less than 60 of them were girls. Dating back to the Winter 2018 season, PROS sports programming included 31 all-girls teams. In Winter 2025, due to a lack of participation, there were zero. All teams that featured female participants were coed.
In order to help address the barriers that impact girls’ sports participation both nationwide and in our community, Aurora PROS is launching its She Plays Aurora campaign with a focus on three key areas: introduction, coaching representation and accessibility.
Getting in the Game – For Free
In an effort to help girls shoot a basket or score a goal for the first time, Aurora PROS is thrilled to offer a completely free introductory sports trial day at the city’s Southeast Recreation Center and Fieldhouse (25400 E. Alexander Drive) on Sunday, March 15 – with a special Denver Summit FC tie-in.
On that date, the facility’s gym and fieldhouse will be fully reserved for event registrants to either be introduced to a new sport or simply experience it at one of the city’s premier recreation facilities for the first time.
For players, city coaches will be on hand to guide open volleyball, basketball, tennis, soccer and flag football sessions. For parents, special guests will be available to discuss the importance of playing sports at a young age, the need for volunteer coaches, and how to take advantage of the city’s scholarship offerings.
As an added show of support for girls and women’s sports in the metro area, registration for the free She Plays Aurora trial day includes an entry to win tickets to the Denver Summit FC’s first-ever home match on March 28 at Empower Field at Mile High.
Full event schedule and registration is available at AuroraGov.org/ShePlays.
Pushing for Representation
Aurora PROS will be expanding its efforts to recruit female coaches across all of the city’s sports offerings. Lack of women as coaches, in leadership roles or as role models is far and away the number one barrier impacting girls' participation in youth sports, according to the aforementioned NPRA and Nike study. Currently, PROS offers 50% refunds on youth sports programming to volunteers who sign up to coach and will be exploring added incentives throughout the year.
All are Welcome
Aurora PROS strives to ensure that all ages, skill levels, abilities and backgrounds can enjoy our sports offerings.
Throughout this campaign, we’ll elevate the city’s Adaptive Recreation & Inclusion Services (A.R.I.S.E.), which encourage meaningful recreation opportunities and programs for individuals with disabilities to enhance and expand social, cognitive, affective and physical abilities.
We’ll additionally commit more promotional resources to making sure that residents are aware that PROS offers a scholarship program designed to help families and/or individuals with limited financial resources that live within the city limits of Aurora participate in city programs. Qualified applicants receive a 50% discount on regular-priced instructional recreation programs that are regularly $10 or greater.
Telling Our Story
To better promote the programming and opportunities available to our residents, Aurora PROS is beginning a refreshed messaging campaign across its owned channels. The messaging combines dynamic imagery of real Aurora sports participants with the social and emotional development aspects of playing sports from a young age.
Throughout the year, Aurora PROS will showcase the city’s players and female coaches to allow them to share how sports have impacted their lives and tell their stories in their own words.
For full details on all of the city of Aurora’s girls and wider youth sports offerings – including dates, locations, times and registration – visit AuroraGov.org/YouthSports.