At Team IMPACT, we believe that sports are about more than just competition—sports are about connection, growth, and empowerment. Eleven-year-old Charlotte and her University of Michigan field hockey teammates stand as living examples of the transformative power of sports, not just for athletes but for all who are part of the team.
For Charlotte’s mom, Caryn, the most profound impact of Charlotte being part of the team has been the sisterhood that has blossomed from this friendship. “We’re so grateful that Charlotte has a team full of strong women surrounding her and being her role models,” Caryn said. Charlotte and her family do a lot of social modeling, and Caryn says this reminds Charlotte, who lives with Down syndrome and a heart condition, that she is part of the Michigan field hockey team and needs to represent them well in everything she does.
Caryn hopes this social modeling works both ways, with Charlotte learning from her teammates while her teammates also learn from her. “I hope that Charlotte learns to support her teammates, both on and off the field,” Caryn said. “I hope that she learns how to win and lose gracefully and show good sportsmanship throughout. I hope her teammates learn that while sports are very much a meritocracy, a person’s value can be found in other areas as well.”
For girls like Charlotte, sports are a powerful platform to learn critical life skills—supporting teammates, navigating losses, celebrating wins, and demonstrating good sportsmanship. But it’s not just about the players. Women in every aspect of sport are role models for everyone, regardless of role or gender. “Women in sports are essential at all levels: athletes, coaches, and administration. And not just to provide role models for the next generation of girls, but to provide role models for everyone,” Caryn said, something she hopes Charlottes learns through observing her Michigan teammates achieve their goals and persevere through losses. “Sports teach skills well beyond the playing field and produce leaders in more than just sports.”
One of these women in sports in Charlotte’s world is Zoe Bormet, a Team IMPACT Fellow and Michigan field hockey player. Zoe has witnessed Charlotte’s impact on the team and the strength she brings to every interaction. “Charlotte is smart, tenacious, and courageous, carrying herself with invigorating passion in everything she does. She is the life of the party, the absolute boss, with an infectious grin that lights up a room and is an integral part of our team because she brings such light and purpose to our time here at Michigan,” Zoe said. “We have the privilege of being a part of something that’s bigger than the sport itself, and that clarity and vision of why we are here translates onto the field.”
“Being a part of a team sport and Team IMPACT has ingrained a core value of doing things for the greater good with intentionality and purpose,” Zoe continued. “It’s often the small decisions that make the greatest impact over time. Do the right thing when no one’s watching, you’ll never have regrets!”
Whether her teammates are aware or not, Charlotte is learning from every interaction she has with the team. And the team’s commitment to Charlotte goes beyond the field. Earlier this season when the team honored Charlotte as team captain, Zoe made sure Charlotte was prepared and comfortable for the day. “She walked her through it, step-by-step, and then we were able to rehearse at home,” Caryn said. “The team did such a wonderful job supporting her, especially the captains, and Charlotte rose to the occasion and loved being honored.”
Whether they’re celebrating her as an honorary captain, singing karaoke at a holiday party, or standing together in victory and defeat, these moments build Charlotte’s confidence and reinforce the values of teamwork and resilience. Moments like these, Caryn says, have “made Charlotte’s confidence soar.” Her teammates “empower her to step forward and embrace the moment.”
At Team IMPACT, we know that the true value of sports lies in the lessons they teach, the friendships they forge, and the ways they inspire young women to dream big. “I hope that Charlotte’s legacy with both Michigan field hockey and Team IMPACT will inspire and empower future generations of women to unapologetically strive to reach their goals,” Zoe said. “To young women in sports, be ambitious, dream big, and stand strong. Find your voice, amplify it, and own your space.” Charlotte and Michigan field hockey are a reminder that when girls are given the opportunity to be part of a team, they gain more than just skills—they gain the confidence to take on the world.
