Corporate Partner Highlight: IDA Sports
First off, tell us a little bit about Ida Sports and how, as a brand, you came to support causes that do good in the world.
IDA Sports makes women’s specific soccer cleats that are designed and fit to support women and girl’s biomechanic needs on the field. We know that women’s and men’s feet are different and in 2018 our Co-Founder, Laura Youngson, was shocked to learn that the industry standard was to “shrink it & pink it” or simply to label a men’s shoe as “unisex”.
At IDA, we always say that it’s about more than a shoe and it’s about building a movement. We want women to feel seen in the sport and know that a small army of women are looking out for their comfort, support, and needs both on and off the field. We are always seeking out interesting partnerships with organizations that are working on behalf of women’s health in a holistic way.
Tell us who you are - what is your name, what do you do at the company, what makes this an important campaign for you personally to work on?
My name is Tabitha and I’m the Head of Marketing at IDA. What drew me to working with Know Your Lemons and this campaign was the opportunity to bring conversations further upstream, and to bring topics not typically discussed in October to the forefront. I’ve always been personally been wary of “pinkwashing” and that applies also to what IDA is trying to dismantle within footwear. I’ve had teammates personally affected by breast cancer over the years and have seen firsthand the power that team sports like soccer can play in the healing journey. Since working with Know Your Lemons, my partner and I have both downloaded the app and utilized resources as we tap into more awareness around our own bodies!
How did you find out about Know Your Lemons and what made you see that we were the perfect fit?
When we first began discussing this limited edition release, we were quick to refer to it internally as the “breast health” collection, and really wanted to avoid simply calling it a “breast cancer awareness” pack. Our goal was to always expand the conversation and speak more broadly about breast health as it might relate to women in soccer. We ultimately took to the web to try to find organizations that were thinking differently about this topic and that’s when we discovered Know Your Lemons.
We were immediately drawn to Know Your Lemons’ emphasis on action and going beyond “awareness”. The focus on educating women about their own bodies and breaking the taboo around certain topics was very relatable to our own mission to educate women about their unique needs in footwear and sports. Despite operating in very different spaces, the value alignment from top to bottom was clear.
What are you hoping to achieve with your campaign this October?
At IDA, our hope is always to educate women about their bodies and empower them to take action and make decisions about their health and wellness. It’s not everyday that you see soccer cleats with illustrations of breasts (of all shapes and sizes) on them, so we hope they open the door to conversations around important topics among women and girls of all ages
Most importantly - where can people go to purchase your product?How can they share with their friends and family all of the great things your company is doing to raise money for Know Your Lemons to turn awareness into action?!
If you are a soccer player, know a soccer player, or know someone whose daughter plays soccer, you can check out the IDA Rise Limited Edition Breast Self Pack at www.idasoprts.com and at Dick’s Sporting Goods. The limited edition cleats come in two styles; firm ground cleats best suited for grass fields, and turf shoes best suited for turf sports. We will be donating $10 from every pair sold from now through February 2025 and you have the option to add an additional donation to Know Your Lemons on our website as well!
