April 21, 2011 (Park City, UT) – The Women’s Sports Foundation has awarded Alissa Johnson, Visa Women’s Ski Jumping Team member, with a Travel & Training Fund grant. Thanks to a partnership between WSF and Gatorade, $100,000 in grants was issued to 19 athletes and five teams, representing 21 sports.

The 2010 recipients each received financial support ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 to help cover coaching, specialized training, equipment, attire and/or travel expenses. Many of the athletes have aspirations to compete at upcoming world competitions, Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to WSF.

“This grant means so much to me,” said Johnson, who was a member of the 2009 and 2011 World Championship teams. “As an elite athlete in ski jumping it can be challenging to come up with the money to get the necessary equipment and to fly around the world to compete. So when I read about the Travel & Training Fund, it sounded perfect for me. I am so grateful for the support from the Women’s Sports Foundation.”

When Johnson began ski jumping at age 5, she had no idea that women were not allowed to ski jump in the Olympic Winter Games. In her 18 years of training, she has watched from the sidelines as her younger brother competed in ski jumping at two Olympics. On April 6, the International Olympic Committee announced that the event will be on the Sochi 2014 program, and this year the women jumpers will be competing for the first time in a World Cup series.

“So much of our sport is changing and, in a way, growing up. I am really excited about it,” she said. “I do hope to represent the U.S. in 2014.”

Since 1984, the fund has awarded more than 1,200 grants to more than 950 women athletes and 250 women’s teams in a diverse array of sports, according to WSF. Past recipients have captured national, world championship and Olympic medals, including figure skaters Michelle Kwan and Kristi Yamaguchi, gymnast Kerri Strug, diver Mary Ellen Clark, soccer star Michelle Akers, wheelchair table tennis player Jennifer Johnson and the U.S. Rowing Association.

“As the first charitable organization to offer grants to female athletes with elite potential in both Olympic and non-Olympic sports, we are pleased to have the opportunity to support these athletes, as they move one step closer to achieving their dreams,” said Kathryn Olson, chief executive officer of the Foundation, in a release.

To learn more and see the entire list of recipients visit the Women’s Sports Foundation HERE.