More than 100 girls took part in the first-ever Girls in Sport Summit during Grey Cup weekend in Calgary on Saturday, an initiative aimed at encouraging young girls to explore different sports and remain involved as they get older. “We know that girls drop out of sports, exponentially more than boys,” said Karen Dommett, executive director of Grey Cup 2026. The summit brought young athletes together for activities including flag football and cheerleading, using one of Canada’s biggest sporting weekends to showcase opportunities for girls both on and off the field. For 14-year-old Shiloh Colmenares-Mickler, it was an opportunity to step outside her comfort zone. A competitive cheerleader for nearly a decade, she was among the girls trying their hand at flag football during the outdoor Grey Cup festivities. “I found it really cool. And I love the fast pace,” she said. Organizers hope that enthusiasm carries well beyond the weekend. For Jamie Bellows, role model engagement lead with Girls Forward, the summit is about more than introducing girls to new sports. “For them to be able to leave feeling confident,” Bellows said, “but also feel like they’re empowered to try new things, push themselves, and also take risks.” The initiative comes amid concerns about keeping girls engaged in organized sports as they grow older. Dommett said one of the barriers is a lack of recreational opportunities, adding that not every young athlete needs to pursue sports at a competitive level. “There’s a lot of different levels to participate,” she said, explaining that the summit is designed to introduce girls to activities they may not have considered before. Inside the Saddledome, girls had a chance to learn from CFL cheerleaders. “You can make lots of new friends and level up,” said Abigail Hunt. Cailyn McFarlane was also among those taking part. “It gives me more confidence, especially when you’re performing,” she said. Those experiences reflect what organizers say is one of the most valuable aspects of keeping girls involved in sports. Dommett pointed to teamwork, leadership and resilience as lessons that can carry into adulthood. “We always talk about the biggest lessons learned come from the losses, not the wins,” she said. For Colmenares-Mickler, who already knows the demands of competitive cheerleading, trying flag football reinforced her belief that girls shouldn’t feel limited in the sports they choose. “I think girls can do any sport,” she said. The timing of the summit also coincides with growing opportunities in flag football, which will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, with both men’s and women’s competitions. But for Colmenares-Mickler, the message is much simpler: keep exploring until something clicks. “Like just keep trying until you find something you really like to do,” she said.
