Friends, Family, and Teammates,

Thank You

Thank you for your enthusiasm and supportive messages about The S.W.A.G. Team. I am beyond grateful and excited to include you all in this first issue of The S.W.A.G. Report!

Updates

January was a busy month for The S.W.A.G Team. In addition to enjoying a snowstorm, we:

• Opened a bank account

• Applied for tax-exempt status with the IRS

• Created a logo

• Launched a website – check it out!

• Started an Instagram page – follow us!

TODAY is National Girls and Women in Sports Day!

February 4, 2026 is National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD)! NGWSD was co-founded in 1987 by the Women’s Sports Foundation and has served as a day of observance to acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes, coaches, and leaders; recognize the influence of sports participation for women and girls; and honor the progress and advocacy for equality for women in sports. Each year, communities across the country host events in conjunction with the NGWSD celebration. You can find one near you here.

One of these celebrations held here in Philadelphia is Strong Women, Strong Sport, a series of NGWSD events hosted by Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality and the United Women’s Ball Hockey Foundation. In honor of NGWSD and in support of The S.W.A.G. Team’s mission, I plan to volunteer at a free youth sports learn-to-play clinic offered by Strong Women, Strong Sport on March 22, 2026. This multi-sport clinic for youth ages 7-14 will focus on skill development, teamwork, and fun. If you know someone who would like to participate in these clinics, more information and registration can be found here.

Donations

Many of you have asked about ways to donate to The S.W.A.G. Team (thank you!). Now that we have submitted our application for tax-exempt status with the IRS (and expect to receive approval very soon), we are focusing on fundraising and are happy to accept donations! (Contributions are not yet tax deductible but, in general, will be tax deductible retroactively once we receive IRS approval, at which point we will provide an updated receipt.)

If you would like to make a general donation to The S.W.A.G. Team for operating costs to get us up and running, you may do so here. If you prefer to donate to a specific cause, I will be announcing The S.W.A.G. Team's first fundraiser in the next issue of The S.W.A.G. Report.

Natalija Whitman | Founder and S.W.A.G. Team Captain