Unleashing Girl Power Through Sport
At Jumpstart, we believe gender equity builds better sport. Play to Lead brings girls and their coaches together to explore leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and create lasting changes in local sport organizations and communities.
About the Program
Play to Lead is a three-phase leadership program that supports athletes on their journey as leaders in sport and beyond.
Summit — The program kicks off with an in-person Summit where athletes and coaches come together for experiential learning, skill-building, and connection. Expect hands-on activities, real conversations, and a lot of fun.
Sport Leadership Pathways — Building on the Summit, athletes put their learning into action through hands-on experiences and real-world opportunities, guided by coaches and industry professionals.
Alumni Community — At the close of the program year, athletes join a lifelong Alumni network with ongoing access to mentorship, networking, and professional development to support their goals as athletes and leaders.
What Athletes Will Learn
Sport doesn't just build health and confidence — it opens doors to leadership and career success. Grounded in research from the University of Calgary, Play to Lead uses sport as a vehicle to develop eight essential leadership skills that empower girls and young women to thrive on and off the field.
Participants connect with an inspiring network of sport leaders — broadcasters, mental health professionals, local sport organization leaders, professional athletes, and more — for programming that is exciting, educational, and fun. Coaches also benefit through tailored professional development opportunities designed to deepen their impact.
Our Commitment
Play to Lead is designed to advance gender equity in sport by increasing and sustaining participation rates among women and girls, while boosting the representation of diverse women and girls in sport leadership positions across Canada.
Play to Lead Charlottetown - July 6th-9th
Coach Registration: 2026 Play to Lead Coach Registration Form – Fill out form
Athlete Registration: 2026 Play to Lead Charlottetown Athlete Registration Form
For questions about the Play to Lead program or application process, visit our Frequently Asked Questions section or reach out at playtolead@cantire.com.
Testimonials
"This program has been so much fun — thank you to you and your incredible team. I can't wait to see what's next!"
"Thank you — again and again — for having us at this Summit. My motto has always been simple: provide opportunities and possibilities for youth to become the best version of themselves. You and everyone at Jumpstart live that every day. Thank you for making a difference through the power of sport."
“Thank you once again, and again, and again, for having us at this wonderful Summit. Supporting us from the beginning, through many hurdles and in the future. Making a difference in our lives and in so many others through the power of sport. My motto is fairly simple “Provide opportunities and possibilities to our youth to become the best version of themselves.” You and everyone at Jumpstart have done that and continue to do it. Thank you.”
"Programs like Play to Lead give girls like my daughter the opportunity to see themselves as part of something bigger — the story of women in athletics. It was a privilege for her and her coach to be selected, andshe'llcarry this experience with her. Play to Lead is helping her grow into an even more confident athlete and leader. Thank you for making her feel included and welcome."
What Happens After Play to Lead?
The Play to Lead Alumni Newsletter tells that story.
Created entirely by Play to Lead alumni, this edition celebrates International Women's Month with spotlights on powerful women in sport, plus practical tips on sports nutrition and game-day preparation. Written by alumni, for alumni, it's a space to stay connected, reflect on the journey, and inspire what comes next.