NFCA ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
The NFCA is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all competitive levels of play. With “Respect” as one of the pillars in our Diamond of Ethics, we are committed to promoting inclusivity in our sport and to treating each other with the highest regard in our words and actions. We support diversity in our membership through education and awareness, as we seek to understand the biases and stigmas that exist and work together to remove these from our game. Equity and inclusion remain a focus for the NFCA and we will strive for the sport of softball to be a place where all feel welcome and a sense of belonging.
Access and Opportunity Committee
The Access and Opportunity Committee was formed as part of the NFCA’s ongoing commitment to inclusion. With intention, thoughtfulness, and a coordinated approach, the Access and Opportunity Committee’s charge is to identify the systemic inequities that may exist within the softball community so they can ultimately be addressed and improved. It is our hope, through this committee we can continue to promote inclusivity and give further voice to underrepresented groups within our organization and our sport.
A&O RESOURCES
(CLICK THE BANNERS BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION)
MLB Official Sponsorship Initiatives
- MLB is the title sponsor of the "MLB Together" sessions at NFCA Conventions. It’s a forum for coaches to discuss various topics, ask questions, share information or just listen to best practices on diversity and inclusion as well as helping student-athletes thrive as valued members of their teams.
- All head coaches from Historically Black Colleges or Universities receive an NFCA Membership.
- One HBCU head coach receives a full scholarship to attend the Convention through MLB. VIEW SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.
NFCA Forums
An open collaboration on how to enhance and grow opportunities for underrepresented members of the softball community. Learn how your program can help advance coaching diversity and access.
Featuring: Melvin Jenkins (Tyler HS), Tyra Perry (Illinois), Jessie Scroggins, Cat Tarvin (North Carolina Central)
Featuring: Dr. Bea Bourne (Purdue), Jo Evans (Texas A&M), Nikki Palmer (UC Riverside), Janae Shirley (ETBU)
Open discussion regarding the social justice movement. Our first forum touched on the current climate and the experiences of Black coaches and administrators. This forum addresses action items coaches can take back to their team and communities to enact real change.
Featuring: Cam Fenton (TCU), DJ Johnson (Rock Valley College), Veronica Nelson (Cal), Dorian Shaw (Purdue), Samantha Ricketts (Mississippi State)
Focused on creating an inclusive culture for the LGBTQ+ community within your program. Panelists share their experiences and expertise through open dialogue.
Featuring: Pat Conlan (Georgetown), Christian Conrad (Florida State), Dr. Meg Hancock (Louisville), Amanda Scott (UMSL), Brandi Stuart (UCF), Kirk Walker (UCLA)
Open forum about the social justice movement in our country, and how coaches can initiate the discussion with their team, staff, and administration.
Featuring: Charmelle Green (Penn State), Now-Allah James (NYU), Tyra Perry (Illinois), Tori Tyson (Howard), Olivia Watkins (Boston College), Veronica Wiggins (Florida A&M)
An open collaboration on how to enhance and grow opportunities for underrepresented members of the softball community.
Featuring: Monica Harrison (Carnegie Mellon), Melissa Inouye (Fordham), Now-Allah James (NYU), Sharonda McDonald (Campbell), Tyra Perry (Illinois), Tori Tyson (Howard), Kevin White (Associate A.D. for Sports Programs, James Madison)
This Educate to Elevate reflects the importance of ensuring that people with all disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement.
Featuring: Justen Burns (Gallaudet), Christy Connoyer (Saint Louis), Dr. Jo Dell R. Heroux (Central Michigan), Taylor McQuillin (Team Mexico), Cat Osterman (Team USA)
The Alliance Fastpitch co-hosted its first history series panel with the NFCA, titled Black Athletes Through the Decades in Softball. LSU All American and the first female Gold Glove Winner A.J. Andrews served as the moderator. The panel represented Black women who paved the way for the next generation of Black softball players with over six decades of experience including Olympic gold medals, National Champions, and All-Americans.
NFCA Podcasts
NFCA Scholarships
DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTED BY THE ELLA SPORTS FOUNDATION
The scholarship, created by the NFCA’s Diversity Committee, is awarded to a minority member coach who shows a commitment to working with minorities and growing the game of fastpitch in their communities and has a need for financial assistance to attend the Convention. Learn more about the Ella Sports Foundation.
HBCU SCHOLARSHIP
The HBCU Scholarship, presented in partnership with Major League Baseball, is awarded to a current Historically Black College or University (HBCU) coach who has a desire and need for financial assistance to attend the NFCA National Convention.
NATASHA WATLEY SCHOLARSHIP FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
The scholarship, created by the NFCA’s Diversity Committee, is awarded to a minority member coach who shows a commitment to working with minorities and growing the game of fastpitch in their communities and has a need for financial assistance to attend the Convention.
NFCA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
NFCA members can apply for a scholarship to attend the National Convention. NFCA Scholarships provide means to travel, stay, & learn at the National Convention. Below is a complete list of all the scholarships offered by the Association. Learn more by visiting your Coach's Box today.
NFCA Scholarships
Diversity Scholarship
Mary Nutter Scholarship
Geri Ann Glasco Memorial Scholarship
HBCU Scholarship, presented in partnership with Major League Baseball
Natasha Watley Scholarship for Social Change
Wade J. Bruggeman Memorial Scholarship for High School Coaches
NFCA Video Vault
Learn how coaches influence, shape, and drive Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within their programs during this session led by Kamal Carter and Kyle Williams.
Peer Recommended Resources
“ELLA,” (EYA) is Spanish for “Her” and stands for Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes.
ELLA’s mission is to support young female Latinas to become leaders of tomorrow through sports and academic excellence. The ELLA foundation works on developing leadership in Latina athletes through education, training, mentorship, and advocacy in the sports community. Learn more about the Ella Sports Foundation.
Mission: We lead, advance and educate on diversity, equity and inclusion to foster belonging and well-being across intercollegiate athletics.
Vision: To be the national diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and accessibility leader that transforms intercollegiate athletics cultures and structures by engaging, education and empowering the Association.
RISE is a national nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
The You Can Play Project works to ensure the safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans. We achieve this by creating a community of allies that is able to foster a true sense of belonging. This becomes possible when sports teams sharpen the focus on the person’s skills, work ethic, and competitive spirit, not their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
You Can Play seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by developing a culture of respect, in every player, coach and fan.
You Can Play offers virtual, online, and self-paced Inclusive coaching sessions.The course is discounted at $25 per coach and offers certification.
Donate used softball equipment
A a non-profit organization dreamed up in a high school classroom by former four-sport athlete and current journalist Rhiannon Potkey, is a terrific place to start. Potkey not only collects new and used sports gear for distribution to athletes in need, but along the same spirit of providing kids access to sports regardless of ability for their family to afford it, she has also has sponsored kids to participate in college sports camps.
If you have old bats, balls, jerseys, cleats or anything else, help grow the game by sharing equipment you no longer need. Monetary donations are also welcomed to purchase equipment. Rhiannon Potkey can be reached by email at rpotkey@yahoo.com or by calling or texting 805-910-9341.
World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Europe
For donations to go overseas, WBSC Europe Chair of the Development Commission Petra Pokrajac, pcizmic@wbsceurope.org , can help coordinate sending items to their U.S. storage facility for international distribution. Visit wbsceurope.org to learn more.
Level the Playinng Field
LPF redistributes equipment to expand access and equity within youth sports and recreation programs in under-resourced communities. For more information visit leveltheplayingfield.org.
Good Sports
Good Sports drives equitable access in youth sports and physical activity, by supporting children in high-need communities to achieve their greatest potential, on the field and in life. To get the details visit goodsports.org.
Replay It
Millions of children around the world do not have access to adequate equipment to play sports. Playing sports allows for children to lead healthy and active lives, gain confidence, teamwork skills, and character. However, many sports have become a "pay-to-play" situation. As a result, many children are deprived of this opportunity. At Replay It, our hope is to give every child the chance to play sports through donations of gently used equipment and sports gear, and we hope that you'll join us in changing lives around the world one piece of equipment at a time! Get started at replay-it.org.
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded online educational platforms, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from awards and scholarships, to a comprehensive digital education library and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining over 7,000 coaches today.
