08/18/2026
August 2026
It’s a big month at Girls Forward, with lots to look forward to this fall! We have upcoming lifting, running, and soccer programs, a fall Soccer Tournament & Fun Fair, save-the-dates for our Move for the Girls October fundraising month and Lead Forward Summit in Kamloops, BC, an article featuring Girls Forward, and our next Lead Forward Lunch & Learn webinar.
Let’s take a look at what’s been happening:
Upcoming Programs and Events
BUILT TO LIFT- CALGARY, AB
Girls ages 12-16, we’re excited to introduce our FREE six-week Built to Lift program in Calgary, AB! The program will run on Wednesday evenings from August 26-September 30. All skill levels are welcome!
Two program locations are available:
📍Built to Lift at KINGS Fitness Sunridge
📍Built to Lift at Solace Strength + Wellness
Thank you to Silver Gummy Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for helping us deliver this program!
REGISTER HERE 💪
BUILT TO RUN- NORTH YORK, ON
Girls ages 4-13, we’re back with our FREE Built to Run program in the GTA this fall! Join Girls Forward and Nike Toronto in North York, ON at William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute for a FREE five-week outdoor running program.
The program runs on Wednesday evenings at 6:15 PM-7:30 PM from September 16-October 14.
Thank you to Nike Toronto for helping us deliver this program!
REGISTER HERE 🏃♀️
BUILT TO PLAY SOCCER TOURNAMENT & FUN FAIR- SCARBOROUGH, ON
Calling all girls ages 4-13, join us for a day of soccer, fun activities, and community at our Built to Play Soccer Tournament & Fun Fair, taking place on Saturday, September 19 from 9:30 AM-3 PM at the University of Toronto Scarborough Valley Athletic Fields.
The day will include a soccer tournament, lunch, and fun fair featuring face paint, henna, friendship bracelets, a special activity from Toronto’s professional women’s soccer team, AFC Toronto, and MORE!
Tickets are pay what you can and cover your lunch, snacks, and access to all of the day’s events.
A big thank you to Nike Toronto for us deliver this event, and to University of Toronto Scarborough and AFC Toronto for their continue support!
REGISTER HERE 🎉
KICKSTART X GIRLS FORWARD SOCCER PROGRAM- TORONTO, ON
Girls ages 8-13, we’re back with our Kickstart x Girls Forward FREE outdoor six-week soccer program, taking place on Tuesdays evenings at 5:45 PM-7 PM from September 15-October 20 at St. Robert Catholic Elementary School. All skill levels are welcome.
Thank you to KickStart (BMO, MLSE Foundation/LaunchPad, and Toronto FC) for helping us deliver this program!
REGISTER HERE ⚽️
Save the Dates
This October, we’re moving for the girls! In honour of International Day of the Girl on October 11, we’re dedicating the entire month to celebrating movement and celebrating girls and women in sport.
Throughout the month, you can expect pop-up events, third-party fundraisers, Movement Champion stories, logging your Movement Minutes, and more, all while helping raise funds to support girls in sport.
Whether you’re moving, fundraising on behalf of Girls Forward, or sharing a story, there are so many ways to get involved. Stay tuned to see what’s in store and learn how you can join us.
STAY IN THE LOOP
The Lead Forward Summit is coming to Kamloops, BC on Saturday, September 19!
Following the positive feedback from our 2025 attendees on the Summit’s topics, speakers, and workshops, we’re excited to bring the experience to a new city in partnership with Silver Gummy Foundation and PacificSport Interior BC.
Designed for leaders, advocates, and changemakers in sport, aged 18+, the Summit will bring our community together to take action on gender-based violence and work toward building safer, more inclusive spaces for girls and women in sport.
Registration is now open, and we can’t wait to see you in Kamloops! Stay tuned for more details.
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER HERE
Tune In To Our Lead Forward
Lunch & Learn Webinar Series
Our next Lead Forward Lunch & Learn Webinar Series kicks off next Wednesday, August 19 with Kaitlyn Guernsey, MA, a Master’s Graduate from Western University, presenting for our third session at 2 PM ET! Join us as Kaitlyn explores:
Beyond the Bench: Intersecting
Gender and Disability in Sport. Lessons from Women in Para Ice Hockey.
The monthly series will continue through January 2027, featuring diverse voice from across sport, research, and community spaces.
REGISTER HERE
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SERIES
In The Media
We’re excited to share that Girls Forward Executive Director Gaby Estrada recently spoke with Devon Banfield of Now Toronto about why celebrating women’s professional sports must go hand in hand with investing in the next generation of girls through grassroots sport.
The conversation highlights the importance of creating opportunities for girls to become the athletes, coaches, officials, and leaders of tomorrow.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE
Help girls move forward. ➡️
Your donation supports programs that build confidence, leadership, and community through sport and physical activity. Together, we’re creating a future where every girl feels strong, safe, and seen.
EMPOWER A GIRL TODAY!
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Fast and Female · 100-1995 Olympic Way · Canmore, AB T1W2T6 · Canada
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