March 2, 2026
Fellowship of Christian Athletes commemorates over 50 years of championing women in sports
‘FCA aims to inspire unity and camaraderie among female athletes’
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — March is Women’s History Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the contributions, impact and achievements of women past and present. This spirit of achievement is vividly reflected in women’s athletics, where leadership, resilience and success take center field.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www.fca.org)has a long-standing commitment to supporting women in sports that stretches back 50 years. Following the passage of Title IX in 1973 — landmark legislation requiring all federally funded schools to provide equal athletic opportunities for women — the FCA Board of Trustees recognized the need to engage a growing community of female athletes.
In 1975, FCA made its first official move to support female athletes in this new era by hosting two national women’s camps at the National Conference Center in Indiana. That same year, FCA launched the first all-female Huddles, creating regular spaces for women to connect, build community and deepen their faith. In 1976, the organization solidified its commitment to female athletes by appointing Cindy Smith as its first national women’s director, bringing focused leadership and vision to guide the expanding ministry.
Rick Isaiah, FCA Chief Field Officer, remarked, “FCA’s commitment to female athletes and leaders is unwavering, recognizing the vital role women play in shaping the future of sports ministry. By providing tailored resources, mentorship and opportunities for leadership, FCA empowers women to grow in faith, serve with influence and make a lasting impact both on the field and within their communities.”
Today, women play a central role in FCA. More than 50 percent of Huddle leaders are female, while junior high Huddles, where young girls often take their first steps in faith leadership, account for over 10 percent of all Huddles nationwide.
The reach of FCA’s women-focused initiatives extends beyond athletes, with programs such as Behind the Bench, founded by Barbara Shealy, wife of former FCA President and CEO Dal Shealy, now connecting 12,000 coaches’ wives through newsletters and community-building efforts.
Amy Richards serves as FCA’s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications; her passion for reaching coaches and athletes stems from her own experience as a Division I soccer player for the Ohio University Bobcats and as a club soccer coach. Committed to discipleship and prayer, she mentors several young women, helping them grow and deepen their walks with Christ.
“FCA aims to inspire unity and camaraderie among female athletes,” shared Richards. “Our hope is that, as these young women grow in their athletic skills, they will also grow in faith, supporting one another, building lasting relationships and experiencing the transformative power of Christ together.”
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ vision is to see the world transformed by Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. Its mission is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. FCA’s guiding values are integrity, serving, teamwork and excellence.
Since 1954, FCA has used the powerful medium of sports and building relationships to reach the world for Jesus Christ. FCA is cultivating Christian principles by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ and lead others to do the same so that lives are changed for current and future generations.
Visit Fellowship of Christian Athletes at fca.org and on Facebook, Instagram or X (formerly Twitter).
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To interview a Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096 ext. 105, or Jeff Tolson, ext. 108.
