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Youth Interactive Writer
As schools are about to close, with holidays approaching and most parents worrying about what to do with their children, local sports academy Dragon Force Academy, F.C Porto has announced that will include young girls in their agenda.
The academy which opened early this year was only focusing on young boys.
Its main focus is nurturing talent from 3-20 years old who will then have an opportunity to participate on an international level — a chance to travel to Portugal among other countries.
According to the academy handlers, girls are more than welcome and they will be trained by Onai Chingawo who is also a former women’s national team goalkeeper.
Chingawo said women’s football is getting better and better, especially in Europe.
“Football has the power to change lives for the better.
“It can contribute to physical and mental wellbeing, it can provide opportunities to compete and collaborate with others and it can help to shape the place of girls and women in wider society,” she said.
The coach said that giving girls the enthusiasm to be active and move with confidence is a vital building block in life’s journey.
“We want to help girls develop holistically and fall in love with our game at a young age.”
“Providing a positive first experience for all is essential.
“At a practical level, this means embedding football for girls in schools, as part of the PE curriculum and in after-school sessions.
“As well as introducing a healthy lifestyle at an early age through football, we also want to create an appetite and an environment in which young girls carry on playing football into and through their teenage years,” she explained.
Chingawo called on young women and girls from across the country to come and have an opportunity to follow in their dreams.
“We want to create a pathway for young women and girls from local communities, no matter what their background,” she said.
“Those that show promise can join the boys who are set to shine in Portugal and their progress will be monitored.”
“It is crucial that we continue developing and uncovering the hidden potential of female footballers.
“F.C. Porto Clubs are in the heart of their communities and are actively working in areas that need the most help.”
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with relative authorities including schools to engage thousands of girls every week, therefore we have the perfect platform to ensure the talent pathways are easily accessible.”
One parent from Meyrick Park identified as Priscilla Mpariwa said, the inclusion of girls in soccer was necessary as it gives them also equal opportunity to showcase their talent.
“The empowerment of girls and young women through sport has increasingly become a top priority for sport for development.
“It is linked to female leadership in coaching and is further reliant upon an organisation’s management of strategies to increase participation, community outreach, and gender-sensitive and adaptable program models.”
However, a survey conducted by the Youth Interactive Sports desk has revealed that more than 20 girls have registered to take part in training at Alex Sports Club
Online Reporter