About Breakaway

The Whole Person.
Not Just the athlete.

BreaKaway is girls’ sports training built for what actually keeps female athletes in sport: confidence, belonging, leadership, and mental resilience — alongside elite technical coaching.

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6×

Girls drop out of sport during adolescence at 6x the rate of boys

Source: UNESCO (2024)

94%

Of women in the C-suite played sports growing up

Source: EY & espnW (2015)

1.3m

Fewer high school sport opportunities for girls than boys in the U.S.

Source: Women’s Sports Foundation (2022a)

6×

Girls drop out of sport during adolescence at 6x the rate of boys

Source: UNESCO (2024)

94%

Of women in the C-suite played sports growing up

Source: EY & espnW (2015)

1.3m

Fewer high school sport opportunities for girls than boys in the U.S.

Source: Women’s Sports Foundation (2022a)

Why Something Needs to Change

Girls aren't quitting because they "don't care".

Girls and boys start sport with similar interest, but the experience often breaks down in early adolescence. The evidence is consistent: environments that ignore confidence, belonging, puberty realities, and psychological safety push girls out — even when they still love the game.

What the research points to:

  • Dropout accelerates around middle school — when confidence and self-consciousness spike.
  • Girls are more sensitive to culture: coaching language, judgement, and belonging.
  • Opportunity gaps and cost/access barriers hit girls harder — especially outside “traditional” pathways.

BreaKaway is built as an intervention: a place where a girl can develop skill and stay in sport long enough to benefit from it.

49%

Of girls drop out of sport during adolescence

Source: UNESCO (2024)

85%

Of girls aged 11–17 are insufficiently physically active

Source: World Health Organization (2024)

61%

Of girls who disengage from sport do so from lack of confidence

Source: Women in Sport (2022a)

13

The average age girls cross below healthy activity levels

Source: Nader, et al (2008)

How BreaKaway Started

It started with a pattern we couldn’t ignore.

We kept watching talented girls shrink — not in ability, but in belief. They’d second‑guess, play safe, and stop taking risks. Not because they weren’t capable. Because the environment around them didn’t keep up.

BreaKaway was built to coach what girls are rarely taught in traditional settings: confidence under pressure, leadership, and a healthy relationship with competition.

“I watched too many girls with talent and potential walk away from the game — not because they didn’t love it, but because the system didn’t protect their confidence or build up the person behind the player. I, too, was one of those girls. 
BreaKaway was built to change that.”

Karson Boyce, Founder

Our Model

Built around retention, confidence & leadership

Parents want performance. Sponsors want impact. Girls need both. We coach technical excellence and the mental skills that keep girls in sport long enough to benefit from it.

Confidence is coached, not assumed

We treat confidence like a trainable skill — with progressions, reps, and language that builds belief under pressure.

49% of girls drop out during adolescence — safety, confidence & body image are key drivers (UNESCO, 2024)

She sees herself in her coaches

All coaching is led by women who understand the competitive and emotional landscape of female sport — and model what ‘strong’ looks like.

Lack of role models & fear of judgement identified as key dropout drivers (UNESCO, 2024)

The mental game gets equal time

Pressure reveals the gaps. We coach emotional control, decision-making, and resilience — so skill holds up when it counts.

Physical activity is linked to mental health benefits; 85% of girls aged 11–17 fall below WHO activity guidelines (World Health Organization, 2024)

We coach her to take up space

Competitive, loud, ambitious — welcome. Girls don’t need permission to lead. We practice it in training until it shows up in games.

Sport shapes leadership pathways (EY & espnW, 2015)

What Parents Say

Real results from real families

Thomas
Maine, USA
My daughter has participated in multiple sessions of the Leadership programs, and her experience has been nothing short of exceptional. The program does an outstanding job of developing players’ mindset, attitude, and ability to navigate challenging situations with both coaches, teammates and everyday life. She genuinely looked forward to the weekly assignments and especially enjoyed the group calls, where participants discussed key topics and took part in engaging learning activities and games that reinforced important leadership lessons. The Challenger Series was a major highlight for her. She thrives when pushed outside of her comfort zone, and the opportunity to compete for a medal while applying the creativity and leadership skills she developed through the program was incredibly motivating. Coach Karson is a truly special coach, an inspiring leader and role model for these young women. She sets a high standard and is undoubtedly one of the top coaches in the region.
Kristin
New Hampshire, USA
My daughter has participated in both the Girls Leadership Academy and EmpowHER programs with Karson, and she has absolutely loved them. As a parent, I’ve witnessed her confidence grow both on and off the field. Through Leadership Academy, she learned how to write and deliver a motivational speech. In EmpowHER, she gained valuable knowledge around proper nutrition and hydration before and after games, participated in speed and agility clinics, practiced mindful movement through yoga, and met an inspiring group of women athletes from a wide range of sports who shared how they achieved their goals both on and off the field. Each program is truly unique and has equipped my daughter with skills that will serve her well beyond her youth…accountability, self-advocacy, and confidence among them. I have nothing but positive things to say about both the programs and Karson. She has been a mentor, a leader, and a friend to our daughter, and her impact on our family has been significant. In one of our very first Leadership Academy sessions, Karson shared the phrase, “Control the controllables”a simple but powerful reminder to focus on what you can influence and let go of the rest. It’s a lesson we now use with both of our children when they’re feeling anxious or nervous, whether it’s a tryout or a new challenge. They’ve learned they can control how they show up, their effort, their attitude, and their positivity even when they can’t control the outcome. That mindset has made a remarkable difference in helping them manage nerves and build confidence. We highly recommend these programs and working with Karson!
Riley
West Virginia, USA
BreaKaway provided me with the necessary leadership skills to help inspire, lead, and build others. Without breaKaway, I would not have many of the tools I have to make a positive impact on various people's lives, whether that be on or off the field. Additionally, breaKaway taught me that women have just as big of a voice as men, and that we should not be afraid to use it.
Jonathan
Tennessee, USA
The Breakaway Junior Leadership Program has helped our daughter tremendously—not only in soccer, but in all aspects of her life. She has become more motivated, confident, and inspired to grow as both a person and a leader. One of the best aspects of the program was Karson’s constant availability. She was always willing to meet one-on-one with our daughter whenever guidance was needed—whether related to soccer or life in general. Karson truly cares so much about every one of the girls. Since starting the program, our daughter now wakes herself up at 5:45 every morning to train in our garage. She finished her first semester of middle school on the all-A honor roll and has made significant improvements to her nutrition to better support her goals. She is truly thriving. Katherine has also made wonderful new friends through the program, both locally and across the East Coast. It helped her realize that girls just like her experience the same highs and lows, which has been incredibly reassuring and motivating. We can’t say enough positive things about this program or Karson’s leadership. We highly recommend the Breakaway Junior Leadership Program.
Sophia
2 Year Participant | West Virginia, USA
My time with the BreaKaway Leadership Program was one of the most insightful and uplifting experiences. I was in the program for the past two years, and I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with the people that make this program so great. At such a pivotal and important stage of my life, the program was exactly what I needed in both my personal life and athletic career. Seeing the girls in the program and listening to such inspiring speakers were the highlights of my week. Whether it was Sunday night Zoom calls, or the in-person camp in Charlotte, participating in this program has taught me so many valuable lessons and has connected me with inspiring leaders. Without this program, I would never have met so many wonderful girls and reconnected with my old coach Karson Boyce. I believe this program has taught me what true leadership looks like. More importantly, it has taught me how to be the best version of myself and has given me the tools to be a leader in both my social life and athletic career. If you are considering putting your daughter in this program, I highly recommend you do so!
Carollee
The Prime Leadership, North Carolina, USA
Karson is an extraordinary leader, and the epitome of what leadership should embody – integrity, empathy, resilience, and leading by example. Her natural ability to connect with young people is unmatched, and I’ve witnessed firsthand how they display the leadership qualities she teaches. She challenges them to believe in themselves while holding them accountable to grow into exceptional young adults. My daughters are grown now, but Karson’s impact on their lives remains, and I’ll forever support her and the incredible work of the LeadHERship program.
Maggie
Massachusetts, USA
Karson’s sessions are highly motivational, encouraging, and positive. My daughter’s confidence and techniques are continuously improving. With each skill taught, Karson provides constructive and helpful feedback immediately. Not only is Karson a great soccer coach, but she is also a positive role model for my daughter. Karson has taken the time to get to know her as a person and my daughter always looks forward to training with her. She’s a rare find and empowers young athletes on and off the field.
Stella
9 years old
One time I had a game and I was feeling nervous about it. Karson wanted to make sure I was feeling confident to go out there and play my hardest so she set up a meeting with Rylee (a professional soccer player who helps out with Breakaway) to help me talk through my nerves. It was super helpful and made me feel so much better. I love how Karson is always looking out for me. THANK YOU, KARSON!

When girls are believed in, they don’t just play differently — they discover who they’re capable of becoming.

Karson Boyce, Founder

Programs

Different programs. Same standards.

Each program is built for where she is now — and prepares her for what’s next.

EmpowHER

Soccer development: brave effort, smart habits, and confidence that survives mistakes.

Explore Empowher

LeadHERship

Confidence and mental performance: communication, leadership, and tools to perform under pressure.

Explore LeadHERship

1-on-1 AcadeME

High-performance mentorship: 1-on-1 guidance from a professional female athlete.

Book a Session with Rylee

Your coaches

Meet the women leading BreaKaway

Female athletes deserve coaches who understand the performance demands and the personal reality — because both show up on game day.

MA Psychology

12 Years Experience

Certified & Licensed

Karson Boyce

Founder & program director

Karson has been working in the soccer setting for 12+ years and has extensive experience working in competitive club environments across the country. She brings a unique approach that develops the mind as much as the body and holds a Master’s in Psychology from Marshall University. She has over 10 diplomas related to sports psychology, LGBTQIA+ players, diversity and inclusion, team philosophies and purpose, and creating talent in younger players. 

Developing and working with athletes on their mental performance has been the foundation of her passion since she started her coaching career in 2013.

Rylee Baisden Professional Soccer Player and Coach

Certified PT

US Soccer B license

Pro Soccer

Rylee Baisden

Professional Player, B License Coach & Mentor

Currently playing for Carolina Ascent FC, Rylee is a professional soccer player, certified personal trainer and has a US Soccer B Coach Licence.

Rylee brings more than a decade of professional athlete experience into mentorship that’s grounded, practical, and athlete-first, helping players build confidence, coping skills, and clarity through competitive seasons and transitions.

Rylee’s philosophy centers on fostering growth and encouraging players to dream big—both on and off the field. 

Book a mentoring session with Rylee Baisden, through 1-on-1 AcadeME.

Book a Session with Rylee
Rylee Baisden Certified Personal Trainer NASM s5vwnj5s_1769780882453_badge

How we run things

Standards, not slogans

This is what parents can expect — and what sponsors can point to as operational quality.

  • Transparent environment: Parents can observe in-person sessions. No closed doors, no mystery culture.
  • Low ratios: We keep groups small enough to coach the individual, not just run drills.
  • Skill & mindset in every session: We don’t ‘add mindset later.’ It’s built into the training design.
  • Clear communication: You’ll know what she’s working on, what progress looks like, and how to support it at home.
[I] can’t recommend 
BreaKaway enough. While Karson’s teachings are top of the line, it’s the empowerment players are given that really separates [BreaKaway] from others.

Josh, Parent – Kentucky, USA

Partners

Invest in the missions

BreaKaway partners with organizations that want to invest in female athlete development — not just sponsor logo placement. Your support helps fund scholarships, expand access, and deliver a proven development experience to more girls.

If your brand cares about youth wellbeing, leadership, and community impact — this aligns.

500+

Athletes served

95%

Program retention

100%

Female-led coaching

3

Sponsorship opportunities

Why this is sponsor-worthy:

  • 94% of women in the C‑suite played sport growing up — sport is a proven leadership pipeline (EY & espnW, 2015).
  • 49% of girls drop out of sport during adolescence — six times the rate of boys. The problem is structural and solvable (UNESCO, 2024).
  • U.S. high schools would need ~1.1 million additional opportunities for girls to reach proportional access — sponsors can be part of closing that gap (Women’s Sports Foundation, 2022b).
  • Girls’ sport participation rates have shown no meaningful improvement in a decade of U.S. high school data — organisations like BreaKaway that invest in retention are rare (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2025).

Ways to partner

Choose a partnership that matches your goals — visibility, scholarships, or program support. We provide impact updates so your organization can report outcomes clearly.

Title Partner

Season-wide naming rights, event presence, and deep community connection.

Program Sponsor

Sponsor empowHER, LeadHERship, or AcadeME with quarterly impact updates.

Scholarship Supporter

Fund access for athletes who need financial support. Keep the door open.

Start a conversation

Little Fat Birdie

Digital Marketing sponsor

littlefatbirdie.com.au

Little Fat Birdie is an Australian web studio and BreaKaway's digital marketing partner. They reached out because they believe in what we're building: an environment that develops the whole athlete, not just the player.

BreaKaway is proudly supported through Little Fat Birdie's FAST Fund — the Female Athlete Support & Transformation Fund — a program that backs female athlete organizations with professional web development, because great programs deserve to show up online.

"BreaKaway is exactly the kind of program the FAST Fund exists for. We're not just their web team — we're backing what they're building."

Shelley Murphy  |  Partner, Little Fat Birdie

Resources

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Youth Risk Behavior Survey data summary & trends report for dietary, physical activity, and sleep behaviors: 2013–2023. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/pdf/DSTR-Dietary-PhysicalActivity-SleepBehavior2013-2023-508.pdf
  2. EY Women Athletes Business Network & espnW. (2015). Sport is a critical lever in advancing women at all levels [Press release]. ESPN Press Room. https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2015/10/sport-is-a-critical-lever-in-advancing-women-at-all-levels-according-to-new-eyespnw-report/
  3. Nader, P. R., Bradley, R. H., Houts, R. M., McRitchie, S. L., & O’Brien, M. (2008). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity from ages 9 to 15 years. JAMA, 300(3), 295–305. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.300.3.295
  4. UNESCO. (2024). UNESCO report: Women and girls’ access to sport still lagging far behind. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-report-women-and-girls-access-sport-still-lagging-far-behind
  5. Women in Sport. (2022). More than 1 million teenage girls fall ‘out of love’ with sport [Press release]. https://womeninsport.org/news/more-than-1-million-teenage-girls-fall-out-of-love-with-sport/
  6. Women’s Sports Foundation. (2022a). Do you know the factors influencing girls’ participation in sports? https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/do-you-know-the-factors-influencing-girls-participation-in-sports/
  7. Women’s Sports Foundation. (2022b). Chasing equity: The triumphs, challenges, and opportunities in sports for girls and women — 50 years of Title IX [PDF]. https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/13_Low-Res_Title-IX-50-Report.pdf
  8. World Health Organization. (2024). Physical activity [Fact sheet]. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity