If you thought that football was just for boys, you'd be wrong!

Girls' football is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide and in football mad countries across Africa, women and girls refuse to be left out of the picture.  From the outset we've done our best to include female coaches on our courses and we've always integrated girls even when they have never played before.  The results have been startling…

Katrin Rohde from the AMPO orphanage, whose children have taken part in several of our events, said, “Giving our children the chance to take part in something like this is extraordinary.  For the boys it is good but for the girls it is something amazing!  Beautiful.”

Young women are most at risk from HIV because of their lack of power in relationships and the problems they have negotiating around sex. Involving them in a physical activity like football, which is seen as traditionally male territory, challenges assumptions and stereotypes and builds their confidence.  Female coaches are powerful role models for the girls in their communities and are often involved in ground-breaking work.

Coach Aminata Sogodogo demonstrating a female condom in Mali: “I am proud to be a trainer for Coaching for Hope because it allows me to help my community fight against a dangerous disease.  I have benefited so much from CFH training.  I learn so much about how to love what I do, about having patience with kids, and about approaching coaching with joy and a sense of humour. CFH reminds me how much fun coaching is and how unique every child is.” (Aminata Sogodogo)