One of the best all-girls athletic conferences in the state will have a new name and new look this year as the Metro Women’s Athletic Conference has changed its name to the Girls Independent Schools League effective July 1 and they will add two new schools to the league starting in 2024-2025.
The original schools from the MWAA will remain as Cor Jesu, Incarnate Word, Nerinx Hall, St. Joseph’s Academy, Ursuline, Villa Duchesne, and Visitation will be joined by Notre Dame and St. Dominic next year after the AAA Conference folds after the upcoming school year. These nine schools are all known for their dedication to excellence in the classroom and on the athletic playing fields as they all are known for nurturing young women in the area.
One of the main goals of the GISL is to create a supportive and competitive environment that will showcase the values of educational athletics.
“We are thrilled to announce the formation of the Girls Independent Schools League,” said the President of the Governing Board, Ursuline Athletic Director, Jen Brooks in a release that was sent out last week. “As the President of the Girls Independent Schools League (GISL), I am honored to lead this remarkable conference of nine esteemed High Schools in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. The GISL is not just a league; it is a platform for empowering young women through exceptional athletic opportunities and fostering their holistic development. We are committed to creating a supportive and competitive environment that upholds the values of educational athletics. Together with our member schools, we will inspire skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship, laying the foundation for lifelong success. I am incredibly excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to witnessing the growth and triumphs of our exceptional student-athletes within the Girls Independent Schools League.”
The MWAA has been known for many years in the state as many of its schools have won state championships in a vast number of sports while the addition of Notre Dame and St. Dominic will only strengthen the new leagues’ position as those two schools have been at the top of the AAA conference for many years.
For more information on the new league, please visit their website at www.girlsindependentschoolsleague.com
Jim Powers has been covering prep sports in the St. Louis area for 15+ years and a part of the Missouri State High School Activities Association Championship Broadcasts for the past 11 years. Powers is also a part of the Fox 2 Verlo Mattress Prep Zone Friday nights at 10:10 during the football and basketball seasons. If you have a prep sports story, please contact Jim at japowers2421@yahoo.com. Follow Jim at @hssportscaravan
