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.