The CleatMates Mission: Empowering Girls to Stay Confident and Keep Playing

Soccer isn’t just a game. It’s a confidence builder for life.

This is especially true for young female athletes. Because for girls, staying in sports can mean the difference between taking a shot at goal or sitting on the sidelines. But by the age of 14, girls drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys. 

One of the biggest reasons? Low body confidence.

That’s where CleatMates steps in. Our product isn’t just an odor remover. It’s an empowerment booster. 

When you’re an adult, smelly shoes may seem like a small source of embarrassment and nothing more. But for an 11-year-old, keeping those cleats fresh can be the nudge you need to face the game (and life!) head on.

That’s why our mission goes beyond fighting the stink. We’re here to raise resilient athletes. To help young female players feel good in their cleats—and in their own skin.

It All Started at Home

CleatMates was born out of one mom’s goal to help her daughters feel confident while doing what they love—playing soccer. What started as a simple solution for smelly cleats turned into something much bigger when their teammates raved about how great fresh cleats made them feel! 

Suddenly, it was clear: CleatMates could help empower more girls to stay in the game.

Why Confidence Matters

Sports do more than keep girls fit—they build confidence that sticks. Over 75% of working women say that playing sports boosted their self-image. It’s also proven that through sports, girls pick up skills like leadership, teamwork, and grit. All while having fun on the field and supporting each other.

These are the building blocks for success. Whether on the field, in the classroom, or in the boardroom. But if a girl quits the sport she loves because of low confidence, she misses out on the opportunities ahead.

Let’s Keep Girls in the Game

As soccer parents, we know the pressure our girls face in and out of sport: low confidence, performance anxiety, insecurity about their bodies, and yes, even smelly cleats! But we also know that with the right support, more girls will keep playing.

By providing products that help girls feel confident and fresh, we can help athletes stay in the game—and that’s a win for everyone.

So, to all the players, parents, and coaches out there: we see you. We know the challenges, the long weekends, the grueling practices, the endless drives, and the smelly cleats. And we’re here to help. 

Thanks for being a part of our mission—and for letting us be a part of yours!