Developed by Women in Sport, for Girls in Sport

Our Space in Sport (OSIS) began in 2024 as a collective vision shaped by Washington State student‑athletes, coaches, athletic directors, educators, wellness practitioners, researchers, and advocates. Together, they identified a shared need: a space dedicated to building community and sharing evidence‑informed knowledge and lived sport wisdom—with a clear focus on supporting female and non‑binary student‑athletes.

From the beginning, OSIS was rooted in the belief that sport environments are strongest when they center connection, education, and voice. Research and practice consistently show that athletes experience greater enjoyment and stay engaged in sport longer when they are supported by trained, informed coaches. For this reason, OSIS intentionally expanded to include coaches of female and non‑binary student‑athletes, recognizing their critical role in shaping positive, inclusive sport experiences.

The original OSIS collaboration was led by a group of dedicated women in the school and youth sport space, committed to equity and access in sport:

  • Mel Harrow (White), Assistant Director of Athletics , Lakeside School

  • Dionna Leach, Associate Director of Athletics, Lakeside School

  • Kara Bazzi, Co-Founder + Clinical Director, Opal Food + Body Wisdom

  • Julie McCleery, Co‑Director, University of Washington Center for Leadership in Athletics

  • Tracy Myers, Executive Director, King County Play Equity Coalition

Amid growing momentum for girls’ and women’s sports—and alongside the remarkable success of women athletes and programs across Washington State—there was a clear and urgent opportunity to invest in the next generation. Our Space in Sport exists to meet that moment: to provide an intentional gathering focused on learning, leadership, well‑being, and the future of women’s and gender‑diverse sport in our state.

Central to OSIS has always been athlete voice. A student‑athlete advisory board actively shapes and informs the conference, ensuring the content, conversations, and experiences remain meaningful, relevant, and responsive to those most impacted. Elevating this perspective is not supplemental—it is foundational to the work and impact of Our Space in Sport.