Golden State Storm Launches the “Storm Ahead Foundation” to Expand Opportunities for Girls in Football

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OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 29, 2026--

Today, the Golden State Storm announced the launch of the Storm Ahead Foundation, a community-rooted nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and girls to play, lead, and thrive in sports; with a particular focus on football. Grounded in access, education, and wellness, the Foundation aims to break down long-standing barriers and create lasting equity across the game, from the field to the front office.

“Our mission is simple,” said Heather Hatlo Porter, Head of the Storm Ahead Foundation. “We are going to build pathways that didn’t exist before. For too long, women have often been sidelined in this sport. We aren’t just helping girls play the game, we are empowering them to lead it, from the gridiron to the front office.”

Through the community-led efforts by the Golden State Storm’s Director of Community, Guppy Uppal and backed by the founders Jake Langner & Brad Grovich, the Storm Ahead Foundation was created directly from community insight. Research shows that girls who play sports receive a litany of benefits throughout their lives, with 80% of Fortune 500 female CEOs having played sports. Despite these benefits, girls are dropping out of sports at twice the rate of boys once they hit the age of 14.

This is why Oasis For Girls and the Women’s Coaching Alliance are the Storm Ahead Foundation’s first official partners. Through these partnerships, they hope to educate more women and girls about leadership positions in women’s sports, support them through their educational and professional journeys, all while providing a holistic approach that promotes physical and mental wellness. In doing so, these partnerships will support the Foundation’s mission to forge pathways that will guide women and girls to success.

“Girls can cultivate unprecedented skills when they’re involved in sports, skills that they can utilize when shaping their future both in their communities and beyond,” states LaVonda Baldwin, Executive Director of Oasis for Girls. “By partnering with the Storm Ahead Foundation, we are helping to build the next generation of healthy, confident girls that will be the players of today and the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.”

“Women’s sports are experiencing an extraordinary moment of growth and visibility,” says Pam Baker, Founder of the Women’s Coaching Alliance. “This momentum creates a powerful opportunity to intentionally invest in women as leaders. Our partnership with the Storm Ahead Foundation is about building clear pathways, cultivating talent, and ensuring women coaches are part of the future we’re all excited to see.”

The Storm Ahead Foundation represents the team’s unwavering commitment to the San Francisco Bay Area. By introducing professional women’s tackle football to the East Bay, they are pioneering a new era of sports in this market and are committed to being a community partner - dedicated to empowering local fans and investing in their future.

The Storm Ahead Foundation’s launch is ahead of the Golden State Storm’s inaugural season, with tickets already on sale.

About the Golden State Storm

The Golden State Storm is the newest franchise in the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) and is proud to be the first women’s professional tackle football team to debut in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Storm is more than a team - it’s a movement dedicated to empowering women and girls through sport. Established in 2025, and set to electrify audiences in their 2026 season debut, the Storm is rooted in equity, power, and community and are committed to empowering the next generation of female athletes in football. To learn more, visit www.goldenstatestorm.com.

About the Storm Ahead Foundation

The Storm Ahead Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Golden State Storm, dedicated to empowering women and girls to play, lead, and thrive in sports. Driven by equity and dedicated to local communities, the Foundation invests in expanding access, advancing education, and championing mental and physical wellness; all through football. Through strategic partnerships, grants, and community-based programs, the Storm Ahead Foundation works to break down barriers to participation and leadership, creating lasting pathways for women, girls, and underrepresented communities to succeed both on and off the field. By meeting communities where they are and building solutions informed by lived experience, the Foundation is helping shape a more inclusive and equitable future for sports. Learn more by visiting www.stormaheadfoundation.com

About Oasis For Girls

Oasis for Girls is a San Francisco-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering high school girls from under-resourced communities through healing-centered, culturally responsive programming that builds confidence, leadership, and pathways to academic and career success.

About Women’s Coaching Alliance

The Women’s Coaching Alliance (WCA) is on a mission to develop female leaders through coaching youth sports. WCA provides female athletes ages 15-26 coaching opportunities along with mentorship, training and compensation. Coaching gives them the skills and confidence to step into future leadership roles where they'll inspire the next generation and pave the way for a more equitable future in sports and beyond.

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KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

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SOURCE: Golden State Storm

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PUB: 01/29/2026 10:00 AM/DISC: 01/29/2026 10:03 AM

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