National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) celebrates the achievements of female athletes while encouraging girls to participate in sports and build confidence through play and teamwork.
On Feb. 3, the Browns and CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM), the official mortgage partner of the Cleveland Browns, brought that mission to life by hosting a girls youth flag football clinic at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. The event welcomed over 150 elementary-aged girls from across Northeast Ohio for a morning focused on football skills, confidence-building, leadership and personal growth.
"At CrossCountry Mortgage, advocating for women means creating real opportunities that help girls discover their strengths and envision a future without limits," Chief Brand Officer at CrossCountry Mortgage Laura Soave said. "We know that when girls are given the confidence to show up boldly and believe in their potential, incredible things happen. Partnering with the Cleveland Browns on this event and seeing (over 150) young girls feel inspired, build skills and lift each other up is exactly the kind of impact we're proud to champion."
Throughout the clinic, participants rotated through football stations that included passing, catching, route running and agility drills led by both Browns and CCM volunteers. The girls also took part in activities focused on nutrition, teamwork and future readiness designed to build life foundations and strengthen personal development.
The athletes in attendance received a special surprise, as USA Football U.S. Women's National Team assistant coach and defensive coordinator Mary Kate "M.K." Beach joined the event to work with participants and share her experience in the growing sport of girls and women's flag football. Beach is a leading figure in the sport and an international gold medalist with Team USA Football as both a player and coach.
"For me it's important to be here because I want the girls to see where women can go in this sport," Beach said. "And whether that's coaching or playing – now we have it at the collegiate level, but also on the national team level, with the Olympics just ahead of us – so I want to be here to represent that and show them that they can do whatever they put their mind to. And then for me, personally to share this experience, it's the dream that I never really had because it wasn't an opportunity for me when I was a kid. So, I want girls to know and appreciate that they belong now in flag football and in football in general."
The clinic ended with closing remarks, a group photo and special takeaways for each participant.
The clinic connected the purpose of NGWSD with CrossCountry Mortgage's 'CCM Cares' initiative, which is dedicated to supporting youth and creating opportunities for young women, as well as the Browns' continued commitment to growing the pipeline for girls flag football and expanding access to youth sport opportunities in the region. The Browns and CMM worked to provide an uplifting and empowering experience where girls could try new skills, learn from strong female role models, and feel supported both on and off the field.
Through CrossCountry Mortgage's HomeField Advantage program — launched in 2024 in partnership with Browns Give Back — CCM continues to create meaningful community experiences that encourage confidence and connection.
By combining the national message of NGWSD with a hands-on local event, the Browns and CrossCountry Mortgage reinforced a shared belief: when girls are given access, encouragement, and opportunity, the impact reaches far beyond the field.
"With girls flag football now sanctioned at the high school level in Ohio, it's special to see years of advocacy come to life and celebrate the progress being made," Vice President of Community Relations Jenner Tekancic said. "Hosting events like this with CrossCountry Mortgage, a partner who truly values this space, allows us to encourage young girls to get involved in sports and envision themselves in the future of the game, both on the field and off."
