FCA Recognizes Female Athletes

Courtesy of FCA

As the nation honors Women’s History Month and the outstanding achievements women have made in their athletics, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, www. fca.org) is uplifting female coaches and athletes through its woman-focused Bible study “Bold and Beautiful II.” The 10-session study aimed at female athletes is a continuation of FCA’s previous Bible study, “Bold and Beautiful.” “Through ‘Bold and Beautiful,’ FCA is equipping female competitors in their discipleship journey. These studies meet female athletes where they are and bring a biblical perspective on tough issues like boldness, wisdom, beauty, body image, worth and strength. We have the incredible opportunity to come together as women and embrace who God created us to be,” said Director of Resource Development Shea Vailes.

The study is designed to provide a biblical perspective on the issues faced by many female athletes, such as boldness, wisdom, beauty, worth and strength. The goal of “Bold and Beautiful II” is to help these athletes understand true beauty and how a strong, competitive spirit can be godly and feminine.

“Bold and Beautiful II” is intended for athletes to participate in a team or group setting to further bond the women as competitors. By stepping into the challenges together as a team and focusing on how God will speak to them together, FCA hopes to encourage unity among female athletes as they bond with each other in Christ. “Bold and Beautiful II” can enhance the sports experience and the ways in which women have come together through FCA.

FCA Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications Amy Richards commented, “Our devotional ‘Bold and Beautiful II’ is a great way to encourage and inspire female athletes not only to grow closer as a community of strong, powerful women, but also grow closer to God as they walk through the carefully considered sessions of the Bible study.”

Another way FCA is reaching female athletes is through [THE] Huddle: for women, a virtual experience to engage, equip and empower every female coach and athlete in sport. Mindy Hopman, Florida Regional Director of Ministry Advancement, Triangle Metro Director, Elizabeth Ledford and Georgia Pro and Elite Director Sarah Roberts all felt the Lord calling them to create a space for women in sports to meet and grow together. Over the last five years, women have gathered in “Hometown Huddles” in homes and churches across the country in groups of four to eight. From these groups, girls and women watched worship, teaching and testimony videos and discussed what they gleaned from the videos.

“We have set [THE] Huddle: for women before God and asked Him to lead us as we lead others,” said Hopman. “We do not want to rely on our past experiences but rather inquire of the Lord for wisdom and discernment into next year. We know the best is yet to come!”

Syracuse University head women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack has seen the benefit FCA is to her program as coaches and athletes attend optional devotionals and times of prayer. She makes it clear that she desires to honor God in leading her program. She reads her Bible daily and spends time in prayer. Spending time and knowing the Word shows up in how she talks to her players and staff. After receiving FCA’s Prestigious Kay Yow “Heart of a Coach” Award in 2024, Jack said, “This is truly a full-circle situation from where we began our season when all that we had was faith. To receive this award is the culmination of persistence and faith to be great. I accept this honor and to God be the glory, who is the head of my life.”

FCA’s theme for 2025 is “Glory,” based on 2 Corinthians 3:18: “We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” FCA reminds coaches and athletes that their identity and value is found in Christ, rather than their sport.

Visit Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ website at www.fca.org, its Facebook page at www. f acebook. com/ TheFCATeam, its Instagram page at www.instagram. com/thefcateam or its X (formerly Twitter) feed www.x.com/TheFCATeam.