Programme Aimed To Empower Girls In Football Launched

The Oceania Women’s Football (OWF) officially launched its ‘This is how WE play football’ programme at Lautoka Central College on Friday.

The programme is aimed at empowering girls to play football.

A total of 91 students who are in Year 9 and 10 took part in a training session, organised by OWF officials.

OWF coordinator Ema Evans said Lautoka Central College was the first school in the Pacific to undergo this programme.

“The programme is for female participation where we focus on engaging girls into the sport especially first timers,” Evans said.

“We are targeting 13 to 18-year-olds. Lautoka Central College is the perfect place to do that where they’ve got a football field.”

Evans said the Fiji Football Association has been targeting other areas in Fiji where football has not been accessible to girls.

“So what we’re really trying to do is to engage with the communities and schools that want to support football.

“Maybe, we don’t have the equipment or other means to do it but Fiji Football will be able to come in to provide training and education for either teachers or local community members. These are peopl who want to serve as volunteers and be part of this programme.”

Evans said the students would go into a 16-week programme.

“It’s broken down into two eight-week blocks where we focus on developing their football ability and skills. Also, we’ll look at four thematic areas,” she said.

“The areas we’re covering are gender empowerment. We’re trying to ensure that the girls leave this programme at the end of 16 weeks feeling confident in themselves and their ability not just in football but in all other areas of life.”

College principal Amant Lal said they have already got a girls’ football team.

“We are trying to assist them to see the outside environment in terms of sporting activities and this is a one-time opportunity for them,” he added.

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