Conmemorando el Día Internacional de la Mujer y 7° Aniversario de Girls United

Este marzo conmemoramos el Día Internacional de la Mujer, y celebramos nuestro 7o aniversario dejando los tachos de lado para llevar el documental Copa 71 a la gran pantalla y así visibilizar la historia de la Copa Mundial femenil no oficial, en México 1971. Un torneo con asistencia histórica que fue borrado de la historia. Esta peli nos impulsa a redoblar esfuerzos para seguir nuestra misión para que el mundo jamás vuelva a ignorar a todas las niñas, mujeres, coaches y afición que amamos el futbol femenil. Tenemos la mejor solución, ¡impulsar la pasión desde la raíz: el futbol base! Porque el futbol debe ser para todas.  

¡Echemos un vistazo a todo lo que sucedió este mes, desde el Cine Tonalá hasta Iztapalapa y Quintana Roo!

“Copa71” - Pre-estreno en Cine Tonalá, CDMX

Girls United fue anfitrión de un pre-estreno privado del documental "Copa71" en el Cine Tonalá, CDMX. Este documental, producido por destacadas figuras del deporte como Alex Morgan, Serena y Venus Williams, arroja luz sobre el Mundial Femenil de México 1971, en donde más de 100 mil personas vieron la final entre México y Dinamarca. Lo que pudo ser el arranque para la inversión en el futbol femenil, se volvió simplemente una anécdota que nos conmovió profundamente al ver a mujeres probar su sueño para después verlo desaparecer. 

Empresarixs, atletas y aliadxs nos acompañaron en este evento para conversar sobre la historia del futbol femenil, sus retos actuales, y cómo asegurarnos que la inversión y desarrollo pongan foco en lo más importante: que las niñas sepan que sus sueños son valiosos y que hay una enorme comunidad que las respalda para encontrar su lugar dentro y fuera de la cancha.

---

Torneo Girls United Iztapalapa, CDMX

Más de 100 jugadoras de entre 7 y 15 años se reunieron para participar en el 2do Torneo Girls United en Iztapalapa, un evento anual que creamos con apoyo de la iniciativa Jugamos Juntas. Este torneo visibilizó lo raro que siguen siendo los torneos seguros e inclusivos para que las niñas compitan y compartan su pasión por el futbol. ¡Algunas niñas no podían creer que los trofeos tenían figuras de mujeres futbolistas!

Durante más de cinco horas, la unidad deportiva Utopía Olini se llenó de sonrisas e inspiración. Las jugadoras, junto con sus familias, nos llenaron de energía para seguir siendo pioneras en la realización de estos torneos en México para crear equidad en el futbol.

“Las chicas están súper emocionadas. Nunca habíamos podido jugar contra un equipo de chicas. Tener este torneo es una gran oportunidad”

— Lizbeth, entrenadora de Atlético Junior Nezahualcóyotl

---

Torneo Femenil Sub-12 Chetumal, Quintana Roo

El equipo de Chicas Unidas Quintana Roo, en colaboración con la escuela IMEE CAMPESTREE, organizó el Torneo Femenil Sub-12. Más de 50 jugadoras provenientes de distintas ciudades se dieron cita para demostrar que hay tanto talento en el sureste de México como en la capital del país.

Desde las 9 de la mañana y a lo largo del día, se disputaron seis emocionantes partidos en el formato de fútbol 8. El evento contó con un gran ambiente futbolístico y la asistencia de aproximadamente 300 personas, entre padres, familiares y amigos de las jugadoras.

“Mis niñas están super contentas, ya que es la primera vez que salen de Isla Mujeres y es una experiencia nueva para ellas y para mí como profesor.”

— Brandon Díaz, entrenador de Club Ateneas

---

Marzo fue una celebración de la fuerza, la valentía y el talento de las niñas y mujeres en el fútbol. En Girls United, estamos comprometidas a seguir brindando oportunidades para que las niñas crezcan y se desarrollen en un ambiente inclusivo y seguro. ¡Gracias a todxs lxs que se unieron para hacer de nuestro 7mo aniversario un éxito!

Si quieres conocer más sobre nuestras próximas actividades y cómo puedes ser parte de nuestra comunidad, ¡no dudes en contactarnos y seguirnos en nuestras redes sociales!

¡Por la equidad dentro y fuera de la cancha!

---

Fotos por 11Lgnds
11Lgnds es una productora de contenido audiovisual apasionada por el fútbol femenil. Han capturado los momentos que han escrito la historia del fútbol femenil en México.

Her Game Too Match Day Experience: Girls United Partners with Charlton Athletic Women FC

In a move aimed at empowering girls through football, Girls United and Charlton Athletic Women FC are set to create an inspiring match day experience for Her Game Too and International Women’s Campaigns. On Sunday, March 31, 2024, Girls United FA, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering empowerment among girls through football, will attend the fixture between Charlton Athletic Women FC and Birmingham City.

The day promises to be a celebration for the local community of South East London, offering them the chance to be inspired by Charlton Athletic Women FC both on and off the pitch. From pre-match experiences like mascots to post-match meet and greets with the players, it's shaping up to be a unique experience for girls and young women from Girls United.

Reflecting on the partnership, Abigail Ingram, Girls United London manager, shared her excitement: “Having a local partnership with clubs like Charlton Athletic Women FC only enhances the opportunities for our Girls United community. The matchday experience is especially thrilling as it will allow our players to feel inspired and witness how the local community can visibly connect with players, see the on-pitch pathway, and help us build the next generation of fans. We are eagerly anticipating bringing our community into a professional space such as The Valley, with on-pitch experiences like mascots and guard of honor. It's going to be amazing to see representation of the local community come together with WSL Championship players and management.”

Louise McGing, Charlton Women FC’s General Manager, expressed her delight at the partnership: “We are delighted to work in partnership with Girls United, to not only provide a platform to showcase the fantastic work that they do within the local community but also inspire their players through the personalised experiences we offer on our match days. The professional game relies on the incredible work that happens at grassroots level within clubs such as Girls United. And our matchday experiences are just one way we as a professional club can support their efforts, exposing their players to the professional pathway both on and off the pitch and supporting a sustainable future overall for our sport. Alongside themed football events, Girls United were a perfect fit to join us and be a part of this month's celebrations, and we hope to partner with them again in the near future.”

The partnership between Girls United and Charlton Athletic Women FC signifies a significant step forward in promoting gender equality and empowerment within football. Through collaborative efforts like these, the footballing community can continue to inspire, empower, and celebrate the involvement of women and girls in the beautiful game.

Girls United and Alleyn’s School Collaborate for Empowering International Women’s Day Youth Football Festival

Girls United and Alleyn’s School recently teamed up to host a remarkable International Women’s Day Youth Football Festival, bringing together over 160 young girls for a day filled with celebration and empowerment. The event, held in the spirit of fostering camaraderie and highlighting the achievements of female athletes, proved to be a resounding success.

The festival kicked off with an energetic "Play Like a Girl" session, emphasizing the importance of confidence both on and off the pitch. Participants engaged in drills and activities aimed at building self-assurance, setting a positive tone for the day ahead.

A highlight of the festival was the U13s tournament, where girls had the opportunity to showcase their skills while competing in a supportive and inclusive environment. The tournament not only promoted healthy competition but also fostered friendships among participants, as they cheered each other on and celebrated each other’s successes.

The presence of renowned role model Carly Telford added an extra layer of inspiration to the event. Telford, a distinguished figure in women’s football, shared her experiences and encouraged young athletes to pursue their dreams with determination and resilience.

The event partners, including Street Games, Active Communities, and Wallace Wilson-Haffenden Memorial, played a crucial role in making the festival a success. Their support and collaboration ensured that participants had access to resources and opportunities to thrive both on and off the field.

Girls United coaches and staff, Volunteers from Nike, and volunteers from Alleyn's School contributed their time and expertise to the event, working tirelessly to ensure its smooth operation. Their dedication and commitment to empowering young female athletes were greatly appreciated by all involved, and their collective efforts were instrumental in creating a positive and inclusive environment for participants to learn, grow, and succeed.

Prizes generously provided by Kitlocker added an extra element of excitement to the festival, motivating participants to showcase their best performances and rewarding their hard work and dedication.

In conclusion, the International Women’s Day Youth Football Festival, hosted by Girls United and Alleyn’s School, served as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity and empowerment in sports.

304 players take part in the UK’s biggest women’s grassroots football tournament for International Women’s Day 2024

On Saturday 9 March, at Powerleague Mill Hill in North London, Girls United held the sixth edition of their annual International Women’s Day tournament which with over 300 participants, became the UK’s largest grassroots women’s tournament. The event helped to raise £10,000 for the next generation of women and girls in football through Girls United’s year round programmes in London and Mexico.

The tournament, sponsored by Sony’s Sports Businesses, Hawk-Eye Innovations, Pulselive & Beyond Sports for the third year running, was designed to celebrate women in football and to support Girls United’s grassroots programmes that provide girls with opportunities to succeed on and off the pitch.

Powerleague, the official venue sponsors, hosted the event at their Mill Hill facilities in North London, with 42 teams split across 3 categories based on level of experience ranging from complete beginners to semi-professional players.

The event was hosted by football broadcaster and journalist, Flo Lloyd-Hughes, who also hosts women’s football podcast Counter Pressed and features on Ian Wright’s podcast, Wrighty’s House. 

Following opening speeches, matches were quickly underway with grassroots teams coming together from across London to play in 89 games across 6 pitches, each sponsored and named after supporting organisations: Hawk-Eye Innovations, Pulselive, Beyond Sports, The Sports Effect, Minute Media and 90Min.

Common Goal were also present on the day alongside partners Minute Media and 90min, as sponsors of the tournament’s intermediate category, with teams competing to win the Common Goal Cup.
Off pitch activities included a VAR experience provided by Sony’s Sport Businesses which gave participants a unique insight into the process of VAR decisions and the technology involved. Raffle tickets were also sold throughout the day with over 30 prizes up for grabs including official Lioness merchandise provided by Nike London and signed boots from Girls United’s Global Ambassador and Real Madrid & Scotland star, Caroline Weir. 

As games came to a close, Lush Lyfe, Football Beyond Borders and Rainbow Rebels were crowned as winners of their respective categories and presented with their prizes which included tickets to Chelsea WFC and Baller FC’s exclusive pre-match event at Stamford Bridge for the UEFA Women’s Champions League Quarter Final return leg against Ajax, as well as the opportunity to design a brand new Nike kit provided by event partners Kitlocker.
Category runners-up, Chirps FC, Baesianz FC and Nets FC each received tickets to newly released COPA 71 provided by Dogwoof.
Josh Emerson, Girls United Global Marketing Manager, said: “We’re so proud of what this tournament has come to represent for the London grassroots community, with teams from across the capital and beyond seeing this as the perfect way to show their support for the next generation of girls and women in football.

“Not only is this event an important moment for us to raise necessary funds to continue to deliver our programmes, and we’re incredibly grateful to have been able to reach our target of £10,000 this year, but it’s also an opportunity to raise awareness and shine a light on the work that needs to be done at grassroots level.

“Thankfully we’ve been able to count on organisations such as Sony’s Sport Businesses and Powerleague, whose commitment to the women’s game and its growth have enabled this event to grow year on year, with more teams, more players and ultimately more impact. I’m personally excited to continue to work with our partners to explore how we can bridge the gap between the elite level of the game and the communities in which we work.” 

Masuma Rahman-Sheikh, Senior Project Manager and ED&I Ambassador at Pulselive, commented: “We are thrilled with the success of the tournament and the incredible turnout it achieved.

“This tournament was a powerful celebration of diversity and inclusion, in line with one of our key pillars of being an “Employee First” organisation. We look forward to continuing to support female athletes and inspiring the next generation to break barriers in football.

“Thank you to Girls United for their partnership and continuous commitment to the women’s game.”

Christian Rose, CEO for Powerleague added: ‘’It was a pleasure to support Girls United on their IWD 2024 tournament for the third consecutive year. We are committed tosupporting the growth of the women’s game by providing safe and accessible spaces for women and girls of all ages, abilities and backgrounds’’

The annual International Women’s Day tournament is one of several celebrations that took place across Girls United’s two locations of London and Mexico. 

On Saturday 2 March, 160 females took part in an International Women’s Day Youth Festival in partnership with Alleyn’s School in Dulwich, London. Players had the opportunity to take part in a “Play Like a Girl” drop in session or an U13 tournament. Former England and Chelsea goalkeeper, Carly Telford, in attendance to meet the players and talk about the importance of having spaces available for girls to be active and play football. 

On the same day, across the Atlantic in Mexico City, over 100 players took part in another Girls United International Women’s Day youth tournament with 6 teams from across the capital invited to take part and illustrate the demand for more opportunities for girls in football. 

Throughout the month, girls attending partner schools in South London will enjoy active workshops aimed at redefining female role models through our ‘Love The Game’ programme powered by Nike. 

Wednesday 8 March, International Women’s Day itself, also marked Girls United’s 7th Anniversary. Since launching in 2017, over 150 Girls United coaches have provided 6,000+ hours of sessions to approximately 5,000 participants in London and Mexico.

Girls United’s International Women’s Day tournament set to be biggest women’s grassroots tournament in the UK

Girls United are pleased to announce that their annual International Women’s Day tournament will be sponsored by Hawk-Eye Innovations, Beyond Sports & Pulselive of Sony’s Sports Businesses. Powerleague, the official venue sponsors, will host the event at their Mill Hill Club in North London.

Taking place on Saturday 9 March, Girls United’s IWD tournament is an annual fundraiser designed to celebrate women in football and to support the nonprofit's mission of providing opportunities and pathways for girls and young women in football both on and off the pitch.

With 42 teams signed up to take part in the event, Girls United are expecting over 300 players onsite from across London’s adult footballing community. Participants will come together to inspire and support the next generation of female footballers whilst competing for exciting prizes provided by event partners Kitlocker, Minute Media and Common Goal.

As main sponsors of the tournament, Hawk-Eye Innovations, Beyond Sports & Pulselive have not only provided essential funding ahead of the celebration, but have also committed to supporting event proceedings with volunteers on the day.

Romina Calatayud, Girls United Founder & CEO, said: “We’re all very excited to be coming together to celebrate our 6th International Women’s Day tournament.”

“The tournament gets bigger and better each year and it’s fantastic to be able to count on the continued support of great organisations such as Hawk-Eye, Beyond Sports Pulselive and Powerleague, who have all sponsored the past 3 editions.”

“International Women’s Day has become an important checkpoint for us, where we can reflect on our growth alongside that of female football as a whole. This year, we’re excited to be holding youth tournaments in London and Mexico alongside this headline event and therefore illustrate the impact that can be achieved by supporting us in our mission.”

Tony Page, Managing Director, Football at Hawk-Eye Innovations commented: “We are excited to be part of Girls United’s IWD Tournament for a third year running. Having the opportunity to sponsor the tournament and celebrate women’s football at a grassroots level is extremely important for Sony’s Sports Businesses.”

“Girls United is a fantastic charity and do a great job inspiring young women to participate in the game, and that is a mission that we are proud to be supporting for yet another year.”

Christian Rose, CEO at Powerleague, added: ‘’We’re delighted to be partnering up with Girls United for the third year running and supporting this incredible event. 42 teams coming together to celebrate the beautiful game, and supporting the next generation, is fantastic to see. Good luck to all teams taking part.’’

The annual International Women’s Day 5-a-side tournament is one of several celebrations taking place across Girls United’s two locations of London and Mexico.

On Saturday 2 March, over 200 girls will take part in the IWD Youth Festival in Dulwich organised by Girls United in partnership with Alleyn’s School.

Throughout the month, girls attending partner schools in South London will be taking part in active workshops aimed at redefining female role models through our ‘Love The Game x Nike’ programme.

Finally, across the Atlantic, a youth tournament will be taking place in Mexico City, bringing together players from a number of grassroots clubs based in the Mexican capital.

Friday 8 March, InternaEonal Women’s Day itself, also marks Girls United’s 7th Anniversary.

More information on the wider InternaEonal Women’s Day celebrations will be shared across

the Girls United social media accounts and website over the coming weeks.

Girls United now featured on Edinburgh University Online Course

Girls United are delighted to announce that we now feature as a case study on Edinburgh University Online Course: Football - More than a Game.

Explore the world of football including: the business of football; the future of football; the financing of football; football in the community, great football rivalries ; football data; the impact of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup , the Homeless World Cup and how football is helping communities around the world, sometimes in the most challenging of circumstances. Governments are slowly beginning to grasp the scale, reach and connectivity that football provides and how to use it.

Get ahead of the game and take a look behind the scenes look at the world of football today.

Sign up to take part in the six-week course on football and its role in the world.

Future Learn: https://edin.ac/47Glc4I
Coursera: https://edin.ac/47Glc4I 

Girls United and Footy Addicts launch inclusive recreational football session for adults in South London

Girls United have teamed up with Footy Addicts to make football more accessible for women and non-binary players in South London. This partnership aims to provide more opportunities for adults to enjoy recreational football while supporting the next generation.

Champions of Gender Equality in Football

Founded in 2017, Girls United has been at the forefront of promoting gender equality in football. Operating in South London and Mexico, the club focuses on empowering girls and young women aged 5 to 18 through the sport. With over 4500 players in 32 locations, Girls United not only offers football training but also nurtures leadership qualities and challenges societal stereotypes, ensuring that their impact extends beyond the field.

Making Casual Football Truly Inclusive

Since 2013, Footy Addicts has transformed the way casual football players connect and play, by simplifying finding and organising local football games, turning empty pitches into buzzing football hubs and making the sport accessible to everyone. In 2023, their community grew to 215,000 registered players creating over 50,000 opportunities to play inclusive football every month. Footy Addict games have always been co-ed and open to players of all abilities. Literally, everyone 16+ is welcome.

What's the Goal?

The partnership between Girls United and Footy Addicts is fuelled by shared objectives.

• Inclusivity and Accessibility in football: Central to this partnership is the goal to make football even more accessible. So, it's a chance to create space where underrepresented groups feel welcome to play.

• Community Building: We want to foster a sense of community, where participants not only play together but also get to know each other by meeting regularly.

• All about that healthy life: We all know running around the pitch is a solid way to stay in shape, but it's the laughs, the saves, the near misses, and the ‘what a ball!’ moments that really boost our moods. Most importantly, we want everyone to enjoy the game and keep the good energy that comes with it.

A Bright Future for Inclusive Football

The partnership kicks off with weekly casual football games at JAGS Sports Club in Dulwich, welcoming women and non-binary players of all skill levels, especially beginners. These sessions, held every Thursday from 7-8 PM, are an opportunity to connect and grow an inclusive football community. 

The initiative extends beyond the pitch, with plans to create more games and raise funds to support the growth of women's football while nurturing the next generation of female players.

‘The Footy Addicts community is really proud to collaborate with Girls United to build happier, healthier, and more active communities. Our partnership with Girls United underscores our commitment to providing more opportunities for not only adults but also for our youth to stay active. Over the past years, Girls United has been doing an amazing job in empowering young women, which aligns perfectly with the values and mission of Footy Addicts.’ - Konstantinos Gkortsilas, Founder of Footy Addicts

Girls United Global Marketing & Comms Manager, Josh Emerson added: "We're very excited to be working with Footy Addicts who share in our values of providing more opportunities to football for women and non-binary players. With the majority of our work focusing on girls and young adults, we're looking forward to growing our South London community to include adult players and lean on Footy Addicts expertise in this area to encourage more people to give football a go in a relaxed and inclusive environment!" 

Danielle Carter becomes Girls United London Ambassador

As 2023 comes to a close, we’re delighted to announce Danielle Carter, current London City Lionesses striker and former England international, as Ambassador of our London activities!

In this capacity, Danielle will serve as role model for all of our participants including girls and young women from inner city communities, where improved access to football is urgently needed. 

Danielle has long been an advocate for the wider women’s game and for the need for more opportunities to be made available to the next generation of players, particularly inner city girls and young women. Working with global movement, Common Goal, Danielle identified Girls United as the perfect organisation to support in doing just that and continuing to give back to the London community. 

Growing up in East London, Danielle began her footballing journey at the Leyton Orient centre of excellence where her talent earned her a call up to the England U17s squad aged only 14, marking her debut with a hattrick, a feat she would replicate seven years later with another hattrick against Estonia on her full England debut in 2015.

In 2009, whilst still in sixth form in Romford, Danielle realised a childhood dream by joining Arsenal Women. From there her career went from strength to strength, helping the North London Club to secure the inaugural Women’s Super League title in 2010/11, scoring in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and in a 1-0 FA Cup Final win over Chelsea in 2016.

After recovering from two serious ACL injuries, Danielle joined Reading in 2020 and became the first player that Brighton ever paid a fee for when she joined the Seagulls the following year. In 2023, Danielle returned to the capital joining London City Lionesses who compete in the Women’s Championship and who on Sunday came back from 3-0 down away to London rivals Watford to draw 3-3. 

Last week we welcomed Danielle to a U16 training session at Alleyn’s school in South London, where she spent time with our players and answered questions that they had about her journey, her Arsenal days and playing for England. 

During this visit Danielle also took part in a short interview with Romina in which she said: “I’m happy to be an ambassador for Girls United and can’t wait to support the great work you have been doing in empowering young women both in London and Mexico.

“Shining light on the work organisations like Girls United do is something I’m passionate about, as I hope we can collectively provide a platform and forum for inner city communities to participate and thrive in the game we love!”

Also present at the U16s session, our Founder & CEO, Romina Calatayud, added: “Danielle is the perfect role model for our players across each of our London programmes. Having enjoyed an incredible career so far, but more importantly having grown up in London herself, Danielle knows all too well the kind of barriers that can stand between a player and regular opportunities to play.

“We’re very excited to work with Danielle and be the bridge between the top of the women’s game and our grassroots programmes. With so much of our work being focused on improving access and representation, particularly for participants from inner city communities, having the support of such a strong leader in Danielle will make such a big difference.”

This announcement comes as one of the final highlights of the Girls United Advent Calendar 2023, the first of its kind and an opportunity for us to look back at some of the key moments of the journey so far. 

With over 1,000 participants engaged in South London over the course of the last 12 months, we have measured a sharp increase in participation levels following the incredible Lioness success at the European Championships in 2022 and more recently at the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

Working closely with Danielle and Common Goal, we are committed to levelling the playing field and pushing for increased access to football for girls and young women, in schools, local communities and performance pathways.

For more information about Danielle’s involvement or the wider Ambassador programme, please contact Josh@girlsunitedfa.org

Former England & Arsenal captain Rachel Yankey attends 5 year anniversary event

On Saturday 11 November 2023, at Copeland Social in Peckham, we celebrated five years of providing accessible football sessions to girls and young women and were joined by former professional player and England International, Rachel Yankey, who took part in a short panel discussion alongside players and coaches from the Girls United community.

Five years on and less than a mile away from Peckham Rye Park where our Founder & CEO Romina Calatayud delivered the first Girls United London session to a handful of players, we brought our community of players, parents, coaches and staff together to celebrate this milestone. 

With over 1,000 participants engaged over the course of the last 12 months, our London project has continued to grow and measured a sharp increase in participation levels following the incredible Lioness success at the European Championships in 2022 and more recently at the Women’s World Cup in 2023. 

This event sought to highlight the individuals that have marked the Girls United London journey through a photographic portrait series captured and curated by part-time Girls United coach and professional photographer Lucien Phoenix. 

In addition to this exhibition, two panel discussions were mediated by guest-host, professional presenter and television personality Priscilla Anyabu. The first of these exploring the positive impact that football can have on a young person’s life on and off the pitch, involving U14 participants Kenza, Sasha and Lolly.

A second panel discussion took a deep dive into the importance of grassroots organisations and the role that they can play in creating safe and inclusive spaces for young people and the wider community. Rachel Yankey drew upon her personal experiences and emphasised the need for more barriers to be broken down across the board to ensure that the future of women’s football is as diverse and inclusive as possible. 

As the panel discussions came to a close, attendees were invited to continue to enjoy the portrait exhibition on display as well as the refreshments provided by Copeland Social, with a final flurry of excitement as exclusive items were auctioned including a match worn shirt from Australia International and Ballon d’or nominee Hayley Raso and a pair of boots from fellow Real Madrid star and Girls United Global Ambassador, Caroline Weir. 

Speaking at the event, Romina Calatayud said: “This is a very special moment both on a personal level and for the whole Girls United family. It has been a real privilege to see our session delivery grow from one session to over 40 a week and to have had a hand in creating a truly unique community of players, coaches, supporters and parents all focused on providing more opportunities for girls and young women on and off the pitch”

“I am very grateful to everyone that has supported us along the way, including incredible role models like Rachel Yankey and organisations such as Nike who have been instrumental in supporting our growth through our Love the Game partnership as well as building a bridge between the very top of the sport and the grassroots.”

Las Embajadoras Globales de Girls United, Caroline Weir del Real Madrid y Mónica Rodríguez del Club América, se enfrentan en un amistoso de pretemporada

El domingo 3 de septiembre, el Club América recibió al Real Madrid en el emblemático estadio Azteca como parte de la gira de pretemporada del equipo español en México. El partido fue especial para la organización, ya que en él participaron dos de sus Embajadoras Globales, Caroline Weir y Mónica Rodríguez. Es la primera vez que Weir y Rodríguez se enfrentan, y en esta ocasión el equipo mexicano se impuso 3-2.

Weir ha sido Embajadora de Girls United desde 2020 y ha visitado previamente programas en Londres así como Quintana Roo en México. Rodríguez es la última incorporación a la red de Embajadoras Globales de Girls United, convirtiéndose en la primera Embajadora de la organización con sede en México pocos días antes de este partido, el 31 de agosto de 2023.

Antes de este anuncio, el martes 29 de agosto de 2023, Rodríguez dio la bienvenida a 70 miembros de la comunidad de Girls United Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México, en el amistoso del Club América contra el FC Barcelona, ganador de la Liga de Campeones de la UEFA. Dos jugadoras de Girls United tuvieron la oportunidad de saltar al campo como parte del protocolo de la mano de jugadoras. Rodríguez también organizó, para otro grupo de jugadoras de Quintana Roo, una visita a la sesión de entrenamiento en las instalaciones del Club América el viernes 1 de septiembre.

Este grupo de 8 jugadoras y 4 entrenadoras de Quintana Roo fueron invitadas a la capital por Weir para asistir al encuentro entre el Real Madrid y el Club América en el Estadio Azteca. Tras conocer a las jugadoras durante su visita al sur de México en 2022 y sabiendo que para muchas sería la primera vez que viajaban a Ciudad de México y su primera experiencia en un partido profesional, Weir se aseguró de entregar las entradas en persona durante un encuentro en el hotel del equipo del Real Madrid el día antes del partido, el sábado 2 de septiembre de 2023. 

Tras conocer a Rodríguez, Weir declaró: "Tener a Mónica como Embajadora Global es fantástico y será un gran impulso para las comunidades de Girls United en México. Después del partido hablamos de lo mucho que nos sentimos acerca de devolver y tratar de ser modelos positivos para la próxima generación de niñas y mujeres. Ya sea en Escocia o en México, nuestras trayectorias son muy parecidas, había una verdadera falta de visibilidad y de oportunidades para las niñas, así que nos entusiasma formar parte de Girls United e impulsar el cambio". 

Rodríguez añadió: “Estoy agradecida por la oportunidad de conocer a Caroline y que juntas a través de Girls United podamos trabajar para seguir inspirando a más niñas a cumplir sus sueños, que vean en nosotras un ejemplo de que se pueden cumplir. Cada una desde su trinchera seguir abriendo paso para ellas que son el futuro, tengan más posibilidades de crecer a través de los valores que involucra el deporte.”

La fundadora y CEO de Girls United, Romina Calatayud, añadió: "Fue bastante surrealista tener a dos embajadoras de Girls United jugando una contra la otra en el Estadio Azteca con la próxima generación de jugadoras observando desde las gradas. Fue un momento de orgullo y también increíblemente energizante". Escuchar a Mónica y Caroline hablar sobre sus viajes y experiencias compartidas me recordó exactamente por qué hacemos lo que hacemos y el trabajo que queda por hacer".

Junto a Weir y Rodríguez, Vero Boquete, ex capitana de la selección española y actual jugadora de la Fiorentina, es también Embajadora Mundial de Girls United y utiliza su plataforma y sus experiencias para apoyar a la organización sin ánimo de lucro y a su comunidad. 

Girls United Global Ambassadors, Real Madrid’s Caroline Weir and Club America’s Monica Rodriguez, meet in pre-season friendly

On Sunday 3 September, Club America hosted Real Madrid at the iconic Azteca stadium as part of the Spanish side’s pre-season tour in Mexico. The game was particularly special for non-profit Girls United as it involved two of their Global Ambassadors, Caroline Weir and Monica Rodriguez. This is the first time that Weir and Rodriguez have played against each other with the Mexico international coming out on top on this occasion as the game finished 3-2 with a win for Club America.

Weir has been a Girls United Ambassador since 2020 and has previously visited programmes in London as well as Quintana Roo in Mexico. Rodriguez is the latest addition to Girls United’s growing network of Global Ambassadors, becoming the organisation’s first Mexico based Ambassador just days before this fixture, 31 August 2023.

Leading up to this announcement, on Tuesday 29 August 2023, Rodriguez welcomed 70 members of the Girls United Iztapalapa, Mexico City community at Club America's friendly against UEFA Champions League Winners FC Barcelona. Two Girls United players were even given the once in a lifetime opportunity of walking out onto the pitch with the teams as mascots. Rodriguez also arranged for another group of players from Quintana Roo to take part in a very special training session at the Club America facilities on Friday 1 September.

This group of 8 players and 4 coaches from Quintana Roo were invited to the capital by Weir to attend the fixture between Real Madrid and Club America at the Azteca Stadium. Having met the group during her visit to South Mexico in 2022 and knowing that for many this would be the first time they had travelled to Mexico City and their first experience of a professional game, Weir made sure to hand out the tickets in person during a meet and greet at the Real Madrid team hotel the day before the fixture, Saturday 2 September 2023. 

Speaking on meeting Rodriguez, Weir said: “Having Monica join as Global Ambassador is fantastic and will be such a boost to the Girls United communities in Mexico. After the game we spoke about how strongly we feel about giving back and trying to be positive role models for the next generation of girls and women. Whether it’s Scotland or Mexico, our journeys are very similar, there was a real lack of visibility and opportunities for girls, so we’re excited to be part of Girls United and driving change. “

Rodriguez added: "I am grateful for the opportunity to meet Caroline and that together through Girls United we can work to continue to inspire more girls to fulfil their dreams, so that they see in us an example that they can be fulfilled. Each of us in our own way can continue to pave the way for them, who are the future, to have more possibilities to grow through the values involved in sport.”

Girls United Founder & CEO, Romina Calatayud, added: “It was quite surreal having two Girls United ambassadors playing against each other at the Azteca Stadium with the next generation of players watching on from the stands. It was a proud moment and an incredibly energising one too. Hearing Monica and Caroline speak about their journeys and shared experiences reminded me exactly why we do what we do and the work that remains to be done.”

Alongside Weir and Rodriguez, Vero Boquete, former Spain captain and current Fiorentina player, is also a Girls United Global Ambassador using her platform and experiences to support the non-profit and its community. 

Club America’s Monica Rodriguez becomes Girls United Global Ambassador

In a week that Club America host Champions League winners FC Barcelona and their bitter rivals Real Madrid at the iconic Azteca stadium, Mexican international and mainstay of the Liga MX Femenil champions’ defence, Monica Rodriguez is officially announced as Girls United’s latest Global Ambassador. 

Rodriguez became aware of Girls United earlier this year as sessions were launched in Mexico City neighborhood Iztapalapa and was immediately eager to support the non-profit. As participation levels in the Mexican capital continue to grow, with already over 50 players, the arrival of Rodriguez as Global Ambassador will help to inspire even more girls and young women to start their footballing journey. 

Rodriguez's career began playing with men in Cuautla, Morelos. She played track and field and football at the same time. Despite winning medals at national level in track and field, she decided to take up football. Her last amateur team was Leonas de Morelos. 

Growing up without female role models in the world of football only made her rise to success all the more impressive. 

Rodriguez’s motivations for linking up with Girls United are a direct result of her own experiences and her willingness to not only be a role model for the next generation of players, but also ensure that there are clear pathways for them to pursue their dreams and ambitions.

Rodriguez has already visited the Girls United session in Iztapalapa and to mark her official onboarding as ambassador, the Club America defender invited over 70 members of the Girls United community to attend the friendly against Barcelona at the Azteca Stadium on Tuesday 29 September. For many this was their first time seeing a professional game live, with two participants even getting the once in a lifetime chance to be mascots and walk out onto the pitch with the teams. 

Speaking about the announcement, Rodriguez said: "I am very excited to join Girls United as a Global Ambassador, it is a proud moment and something I have been looking forward to since the moment I first heard about the organisation. Their work and goals are exactly what I want to support, with a real focus on the positive impact that football can have on girls and young women on and off the pitch. 

"Growing up I would have loved to have been involved in training specifically for girls, it is so important to me to ensure that there are more opportunities to access football in a fun and safe environment. Girls United does exactly that and I am very excited to see what I can bring to this partnership. The fact that the girls have been coming to our games and visiting the training ground has been very inspiring."

Girls United Founder & CEO, Romina Calatayud, added: “With the professional game in Mexico growing so quickly, it’s vital that the grassroots are part of the conversation and supported in order to ensure the sustainability of the women’s game. Monica has been very vocal about supporting the next generation of players and giving back, so we can’t wait to help her do just that.”

“Monica is exactly what we’re looking for in an ambassador, she is a great role model for our players and has already provided them with some unforgettable moments. From the moment we started discussing the possibility of her joining Girls United we were so pleased with how aligned her goals were with our own and how she was able to draw from her own experiences to interact and inspire our players.”

Mónica Rodríguez del Club América se convierte en Embajadora Global de Girls United

Mónica Rodríguez celebra su bienvenida a Girls United invitando a más de 70 niñas y sus familias a verla jugar en el icónico Estadio Azteca. La futbolista mexicana internacional y Jugadora Emblema de la Liga MX Femenil, enfrentó al FC Barcelona y este domingo recibirá al Real Madrid.

Rodríguez es parte de una generación de jugadoras que no va a parar hasta crear equidad dentro y fuera de la cancha. La fortaleza que tiene la comunidad del futbol femenil se ha construido en el deseo de dejar un legado que impacte positivamente a las futuras generaciones. Mónica se une como Embajadora Global de Girls United para ser el referente que a ella le hubiera gustado tener cuando jugaba en los campos de llano en Cuautla, Morelos, en donde empezó su carrera.

Mónica es una atleta que comenzó ganando medallas en atletismo a nivel nacional. A pesar de su éxito, y de no contar con ejemplos que le hicieran creer que una carrera como futbolista profesional era posible, decidió seguir su pasión por el futbol y construyó su propio camino para cumplir sus sueños. Ahora su misión es que las niñas mexicanas sepan que no hay metas demasiado grandes para ellas.

Sumar a la primera Embajadora Global Mexicana de Girls United ha permitido que las niñas entrenando con la organización se vean reflejadas como nunca antes en una figura inspiradora. Este abril, Mónica visitó a las niñas de Girls United Iztapalapa en la Ciudad de México– ahora con más de 80 jugadoras de quienes el 82% nunca había practicado deporte en un espacio exclusivo para niñas. Tras tres horas bajo el sol jugando, en las que Mónica las animó, les dio consejos y rió con ellas, Moni se volvió parte de la familia Girls United.

Este martes 29 de agosto, Mónica regresó a la cancha después de sufrir una lesión e invitó a las niñas a ser parte de ese momento. Las niñas vieron por primera vez un partido profesional en vivo, y dos de las participantes tuvieron la oportunidad única de escoltar a las jugadoras mientras ingresaban a la cancha. Esta vez fueron ellas quienes animaron a Mónica y gritaron su nombre cuando entró al campo, demostrando el poder de tener referentes en el futbol femenil.

Sobre el anuncio, Rodríguez dijo:

“Estoy muy emocionada y orgullosa de unirme a Girls United como Embajadora Global porque sé el impacto que puede tener el futbol en sus vidas.”

“Cuando era pequeña me hubiera encantado participar en entrenamientos específicamente para chicas. Para mí es muy importante garantizar que haya más oportunidades de acceder al fútbol en un entorno divertido y seguro. Girls United hace exactamente eso, y me ilusiona ver lo que puedo aportar a esta asociación. El hecho de que las niñas ya hayan venido a nuestros partidos y visitado el campo de entrenamiento ha sido muy inspirador.”

Foto por 11Lgnds

La Fundadora y CEO de Girls United, Romina Calatayud, añadió:

“Anunciar a Mónica como Embajadora Global es un momento muy emocionante para las más de mil niñas que forman parte de Girls United.”

“Vero Boquete, Caroline Weir y Mónica Rodríguez, nuestras Embajadoras Globales, han tenido caminos muy distintos en sus carreras pero todas comparten el mismo objetivo de impulsar a las futuras generaciones del futbol femenil. Esa es la meta, sumar a agentes de cambio que compartan esta misión.”

“Mónica conoce los retos a los que se enfrentan nuestras niñas al soñar con ser futbolistas. Ella derribó barreras que ahora nos permiten abrir caminos sostenibles para hacer del futbol femenil en México un espacio inclusivo. Sumar fuerzas entre Girls United y Mónica ha tenido un impacto profundo en las niñas y no puedo esperar a ver lo que sigue. Este anuncio, junto con la increíble oportunidad que tuvo Girls United Iztapalapa de asistir a un partido tan especial en el Azteca, es parte de una serie de experiencias inolvidables que sucederán en estos días. El viernes 1o de septiembre, Rodríguez recibirá a jugadoras del Club de Girls United Quintana Roo a las instalaciones del Club América para abrirles la puerta al mundo del futbol femenil profesional.”

Otro momento especial para Girls United será cuando Rodriguez y Caroline Weir –Embajadora Global y estrella del Real Madrid– se encuentren en el campo del Azteca cuando el Club América enfrente a las madridistas este domingo 3 de septiembre. Jugadoras, coaches y staff de Girls United, ahora del sureste de México, tendrán la oportunidad de ver en acción a dos de sus modelos a seguir.

Fotos por 11Lgnds
11Lgnds es una productora de contenido audiovisual apasionada por el fútbol femenil. Han capturado los momentos que han escrito la historia del fútbol femenil en México.

Girls United Community raises over £10,262 as part of #PeckhamToBrisbane World Cup Challenge

On Sunday, as the World Cup drew to a close and Spain were crowned World Champions following their narrow victory over the truly inspiring Lionesses, the Girls United team was hard at work counting up the final donations and raffle entries to check if we had in fact hit our target...

After challenging our players, coaches, parents, staff and supporters to cover the distance between our home pitch in Peckham and the venue of the Lionesses first World Cup game in Brisbane - 10,262 miles in total - we set the target of raising £1 per mile covered.

Not only did YOU, the incredible Girls United community, help us to reach this highly ambitious fundraising target of £10,262, but we surpassed it!!

On behalf of the Girls United teams in London and Mexico, THANK YOU.

Your support and generosity will directly enable Girls United to continue to provide opportunities for girls and young women to access football, and actively tackling and barrier that stands between them and sport. 

Speaking after the final whistle on Sunday, Girls United Founder & CEO, Romina Calatayud, said:

“Regardless of the result, the Lionesses have to be so proud of what they achieved. To follow up on last year’s success with a World Cup Final is testament to the talent and hard work from everyone involved. They’ve given girls and young women across the country the right to dream and it’s up to us to give them the opportunities to make those dreams a reality. 

“Block bookings, travel distances, the lack of appropriate changing facilities and schools still restricting football sessions to boys only, all still exist and still heavily affect the number of girls not only playing football but remaining in sport throughout vital development years. These need to be addressed and remain at the forefront of any discussions around the legacy of the tournament.”

Mónica Rodríguez motivó a las jugadoras de Chicas Unidas CDMX a soñar en grande

Mónica Rodriguez, capitana del Club América, nos acompañó el domingo 26 de marzo en la celebración de nuestro Festival Crea Espacio. Más de cien personas se reunieron para apoyar la creación de espacios seguros para que las niñas y mujeres vivan el futbol, gracias a al iniciativa Jugamos Juntas.

Las niñas de la comunidad de Chicas Unidas CDMX, entre 4 y 15 años, vivieron su primera experiencia competitiva mediante un torneo 5v5 mientras Mónica compartió campo con ellas y les dio sus mejores consejos técnicos. La futbolista profesional, Campeona del Torneo Apertura 2018 y una de las jugadoras emblema de la Liga BBVA MX Femenil, platicó sus vivencias, mayores retos, y motivó a las niñas a esforzarse por cumplir sus sueños.

“Nosotras como futbolistas tenemos un rol muy importante para impulsar el deporte y ser buenos referentes para las niñas que nos ven y quieren ser como nosotras. Eso es una gran motivación para mí.”

— Mónica Rodríguez

Girls United, una ONG internacional que se dedica a crear espacios seguros donde las niñas puedan practicar el futbol, organizó el festival "Crea Espacio". @nurynovelo tiene la información. #BienYDeBuenas con @Soy_PaolaBO y @jesusbahena | Síguelo por https://t.co/EVbH0q1vcj pic.twitter.com/taPVkimf11

— N+Media (@nmasmedia) March 28, 2023

El evento se realizó en los campos de la Utopía Olini, la sede más nueva del club Chicas Unidas México. Desde enero abrimos entrenamientos de futbol para que las niñas puedan acceder a espacios seguros para practicar deporte como parte de la iniciativa Jugamos Juntas.

El Festival Crea Espacio se realizó en marzo, mes del Día Internacional de la Mujer y del 6o Aniversario de la fundación de Chicas Unidas. Desde la fundación de la organización, hemos impactado positivamente a 5 mil niñas y a más de 130 entrenadorxs. Con la apertura de nuestro programa Juega Como Niña para impacto social en Utopía Olini, Iztapalapa, proyectamos alcanzar a 5 mil niñas más de la Ciudad de México en los siguientes tres años.

230 women take part International Women’s Day football tournament to help create safe spaces at grassroots level

On Saturday 11 March, at Powerleague Shoreditch in Central London, Girls United held the fifth edition of their annual International Women’s Day tournament, with over 300 attendees helping the non-profit to reach the fundraising target of £6,000, in support of safe spaces for girls and young women in football.

The tournament, sponsored by Hawk-Eye Innovations, Pulselive & Beyond Sports of the Sony Sports Innovation Group, was designed to celebrate women in football and to support Girls United’s grassroots programmes that provide girls with opportunities to succeed on and off the pitch.

This year’s fundraising theme, “Make Space”, was developed in response to recent findings by Women in Sport, showing that 49% of girls surveyed don’t feel safe exercising in their local park and 79% indicated that access to appropriate changing facilities and toilets had a direct impact on their decision to participate in sport or not. 

Powerleague, the official venue sponsors, hosted the event at their Central London facilities in Shoreditch, with 30 teams competing across 3 categories (Beginner Women’s & Non-Binary x2 and Intermediate Women’s & Non-Binary).

The event was officially opened by special guest, Victoire Cogevina Reynal, VP of Women’s Football at Onefootball and UN Ambassador for Gender Equality, who drew from her own experiences of growing up in Argentina without access to safe spaces in which to enjoy her passion of playing football.

Matches were quickly underway with women’s football teams coming together from across London to play in 129 games across 6 pitches, each sponsored and named after supporting organisations: Hawk-Eye Innovations, Pulselive, Beyond Sports, Mitre Sports, Starling Bank and VERSUS.

Common Goal were also present on the day as sponsors of the tournament’s Challenge Pitch, where participants were invited to take part in a variety of activities to win tickets for a very special raffle. Prizes included official Euro 2022 Lioness Monopoly sets, training gear and match edition kits, as well as match worn shirts and boots from Girls United Global Ambassador and Real Madrid player, Caroline Weir.

The closing ceremony saw South London Laces, Football Beyond Borders Women and Deep Heat receive their medals and prizes, which included tickets to this year’s FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium as well as entry to the official tournament afterparty event. Other teams in attendance included Bend it like Peckham FC, Goal Diggers FC, Clapton Cobras, South London Laces and Romance FC.

Romina Calatayud, Girls United Founder & CEO, said: “The anticipation for this year’s tournament was bigger than ever, so it was fantastic to receive the level of support that we did, allowing us to not only host our biggest event yet, but to also reach our fundraising target.
“This year’s key message of making spaces for the next generation of players in which they feel comfortable, empowered and most importantly safe, is something we all feel so strongly about. The fact it resonates with so many people shows just how much the lack of access to such spaces needs addressing. 

“The London female grassroots community is truly inspiring and something that we are so proud to be a part of as an organisation. I personally take a lot of energy from all of the International Women’s Day activities and the exciting conversations that we have been having with our partners about how we can make grassroots football safer for girls and women in football.”

Dina Hassan, Global Head of Marketing at Sony's Sports Businesses, commented: "We were delighted to support the Girls Utd FA #IWD tournament for a 2nd year in a row. It's a fantastic initiative that shares a mission with our group of businesses in supporting grassroots and women in sport. We were more than happy to participate in the return of this inspiring event, and we will continue to support Girls Utd in creating a safe space for girls and young women in football in local UK communities and those abroad."

A Powerleague representative added: ‘’Powerleague were delighted to support the International Women’s Day tournament for the second year running. The work that Romina and the team at Girls United do is fantastic, and we will carry on working with them and other partners in this space. Powerleague are passionate about providing safe & comfortable environments, and we hope this event empowers more participation amongst women and girls’’ 

The annual International Women’s Day tournament is one of several celebrations that took place across Girls United’s two locations of London and Mexico. Throughout the week, girls attending partner schools in South London enjoyed active workshops aimed at redefining female role models through our ‘Love The Game x Nike’ programme. Teachers were invited to attend CPD courses themed around “Empowering and Supporting Females in Sport”. Across the Atlantic, 65 players and over 150 supporters attended a Girls United International Women’s Day youth tournament, the only of its kind in the Quintana Roo region of Mexico. 

Wednesday 8 March, International Women’s Day itself, also marked Girls United’s 6th Anniversary. Since launching in 2017, over 130 Girls United coaches have provided 5,500+ hours of sessions to approximately 4,500 participants in London and Mexico.

Jugamos Juntas x Girls United

¡Juega como Niña llegó a Iztapalapa como parte de Jugamos Juntas, la iniciativa creada por Laureus Sports for Good y Nike México! Juega como Niña es un programa de Chicas Unidas dirigido a niñas de 7 a 12 años que radican en Iztapalapa, Ciudad de México. La finalidad del programa es darle a las niñas un espacio seguro para jugar fútbol. Los entrenamientos están dirigidos no solamente a mejorar sus habilidades futbolísticas, sino también a empoderarlas como líderes y darles herramientas de vida.

El deporte permite a las niñas y mujeres sentirse libres de alzar su voz y ser escuchadas, pero sobre todo, a trazar caminos para lograr sus sueños.

- Ana Reynoso, Mexico City Manager de Laureus Sports for Good

Desde Girls United nuestra meta principal es que las niñas y mujeres de todo el mundo tengan el mismo acceso al deporte y brindarles habilidades que mejoren sus oportunidades de participar en la educación, en la economía y en el deporte. Con este programa nos expandimos y llegamos a la Ciudad de México para continuar impactando vidas y generando un cambio social, no solamente en las niñas, también en sus familias, escuelas y comunidad.

“Inaugurar la sede Chicas Unidas CDMX es un paso enorme para la organización. Nos emociona mucho poder lanzar nuestro programa Juega Como Niña en colaboración con Nike y Laureus, quienes comparten nuestra pasión por crear espacios seguros deportivos para las niñas. Para mí es un logro muy especial porque aquí nací y fue aquí en donde conocí el futbol. Ahora me toca ver cómo otras niñas aprenden a amar este deporte en nuestros entrenamientos. Desde que iniciamos el programa Juega Como Niña, hemos ido conociendo a decenas de familias, niñas y coaches de Iztapalapa que apuestan por la equidad de género, dentro y fuera de la cancha. Nos inspira ver a la comunidad de Chicas Unidas seguir creciendo e impactar positivamente la vida de tantas niñas. A través de esta colaboración impactaremos a muchas más.”

- Romina Calatayud, Fundadora de Chicas Unidas

A lo largo de 12 meses, tendremos entrenamientos semanales y se impartirán pláticas y sesiones de aprendizaje sobre temas como: equidad de género, empoderamiento femenil y experiencias de vida.

Puedes seguir el proceso de este programa desde nuestras redes sociales, Facebook, Instagram y LinkedIn, donde estaremos compartiendo cada parte del proceso.

Por la equidad dentro y fuera de la cancha.

Girls United Takeover Wembley Stadium

On Thursday 17 November, we partnered with Nike FC and Girls Super League to host a unique experience for 160 girls from across London at the home of football, Wembley Stadium. 

Hosted by dynamic duo, Mollie and Rosie Kmita, this once in a lifetime event was a celebration of grassroots girl’s football in London. 

Participants aged 10 to 16 were presented with branded kit on arrival and directed towards the team changing rooms. As players walked out of the tunnel onto the pitch, they were met by professional Nike trainers Jamie Velocity and Anthony Aluko, Tottenham Hotspur Women’s Head Coach Rehanne Skinner and former England and Arsenal captain Rachel Yankey, who each delivered technical skill sessions from passing to dribbling and shooting. 

As each group of players rotated between these on-pitch activities they were also invited to take part in yoga sessions with Nike yoga teacher, Sam Vora and Zhila White and a workshop delivered by educational charity Football Beyond Borders. This workshop centred around the experience of being a girl in football, based on FFB’s social and emotional learning curriculum. Attendees heard from female and non-binary practitioners on their journey and in return were asked “What makes you, you?” and to draw their own identity map.

Following the final rotation between the various activities on offer, all 160 girls took part in a series of mini-games on the very same pitch that their idols sealed a historic European Championship win earlier this year. 

As games drew to a close, Tottenham Hotspur Women player Asmita Ale joined for a Q&A session and the presenting of official England Women kits to participants who displayed exceptional levels of teamwork and fair play throughout the event. 

BOXPARK Wembley was the final destination of the event with all participants invited to enjoy food and refreshments to round off a very exciting day.

Romina Calatayud, Girls United Founder and CEO said: “This really is what it’s all about and I’m very grateful to Nike and the FA for this incredible opportunity to make memories that last a lifetime for all involved, myself included. After the inspiration we felt during this summer’s Euro, we have looked for ways to ensure the legacy reaches girls everywhere – this is a completely unique and impactful way to bring the grassroots together with the growth of the game and make dreams come true!" 

Have a look at the highlights!

International Day of the Girl Event: Dreams come through...

Dreams of reaching the top and the legacy of the Lionesses Euros victory at grassroots level.

Girls United marked International Day of the Girl with a panel discussion at BOXPARK Shoreditch, supported by Sports Direct

On Friday 21 October 2022, Girls United brought their London community together in Central London to celebrate this year’s International Day of the Girl with an intimate event which included a panel discussion hosted by Mollie and Rosie Kmita, as well as the unveiling of their latest concept kit designed by award winning designers Play.

This year is the 10th anniversary of International Day of the Girl, a day to raise awareness and visibility around the inequality girls face across the world. The theme of the celebration, “Dreams come through…”, focused conversations around the dreams and ambitions of girls in football.

This follows a recent report published by Women in Sport and event sponsors Sports Direct which revealed the existence of “a dream gap”. According to this survey, nearly 70% of girls who love playing sport dream of reaching the top, almost levelling with sporty boys at 75%. However, Half as many girls (21%) as boys (39%) say that they do lots of sport and 17% more girls than boys say they love sport but lack the opportunity to play.

Whilst girls in sport are now dreaming bigger, there are still too many barriers preventing girls from accessing sport and the opportunities required to reach the very top.

The panel discussion hosted by Mollie and Rosie Kmita, presenters of the Barclays Women’s Championship Show on Sky Sports and owners of Level 7 Academy, included Girls United under 10s player Elizabeth Perrett and Girls United London Manager, Abigail Ingram. With the conversation delving into each panellist's dreams and aspirations, the various barriers faced by girls and the legacy of this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euros was also discussed.

Elizabeth spoke of her experience with Girls United as a mascot at the Euro’s opening game at Old Trafford, which set the Lionesses on their way to a historic home tournament victory. A victory that was swiftly followed by an open letter from the European Champions demanding more opportunities for girls to play football.

During the discussion Elizabeth said that her dream was to “one day play for England as a striker, or maybe play in a band” but also crucially that her experience as a mascot with Girls United and playing in weekly sessions had helped her to believe that this “might just be possible”.

Mollie, Rosie and Abigail shared their own experiences and highlighted the importance of grassroots organisations such as Girls United and their own Level 7 Academy in providing these very opportunities for young people in London and beyond.

The event also gave Girls United the perfect opportunity to unveil their new away kit, designed by award winning Play and chosen by the Girls United community. The kit pays tribute to one of Brixton’s most celebrated icons, David Bowie, and connects the organisation to their South London roots. Niall Smillie of Play was in attendance at BOXPARK and provided an insight into the design process.

Romina Calatayud, Girls United Founder and CEO commented: “Bringing our community together to celebrate girls and young women who chase their dreams is very important to us. We wanted to mark International Day of the Girl in a meaningful way that could raise awareness around the barriers faced by girls and young women in building those dreams. Encouraging girls to dream and giving them the tools and experiences to do so is a fundamental part of gender equality.

“I was lucky enough to be with Elizabeth and 10 other Girls United players when they walked out of the tunnel at Old Trafford, into the bright lights and booming atmosphere of a sold out match. There is no doubt that experiences like that and seeing women’s football getting the exposure it deserves are important steps in the right direction.

“Ultimately the legacy of this summer’s Euros will be determined by whether or not structural changes are made in order to address issues such as the dream gap and barriers faced by girls wishing to play football are removed. More schools need to open their football sessions to girls, pitches need to be made available and funding needs to reach the grassroots.”

This event was part of Girls United’s wider International Day of the Girl celebrations which included an intersquad tournament being held in Mexico and a Game Day event taking place at Streatham Vale Park in London. These events brought over 120 girls together to play football and take part in workshops, themed around dreams and ambitions.

Venue sponsor BOXPARK launched its #WOMXNWHOPLAY campaign to champion women in sport and inspire the next generation of female athletes and sports enthusiasts, ahead of the Women’s European championships. As part of the initiative, BOXPARK curated an ‘all-womxn sports team’, collaborating with 12 trailblazers in the sports to celebrate women in sport, whilst exploring the deeper issues faced by young women when pursuing a career or hobby in sports through exhibitions, a series of motivational panel talks with the talent and guest speakers, live podcasts and workshops.