Playing (Soccer) For Change in Nicaragua

SWB Nicaragua Celebrates its 15th Anniversary

January 2023 marked the 15th anniversary of Fútbol Sin Fronteras (SWB Nicaragua)! Since 2008, SWB Nicaragua has been using soccer as a way to build leadership, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen social-emotional skills for girls in the city of Granada and beyond. Through the dedication and passion of our local staff, coaches, volunteers, alumni, participants, and community members, SWB Nicaragua has emerged as a leader in the pursuit of gender equity in Nicaragua and the entire region. The SWB Nicaragua team commemorated this incredible milestone through celebrations and special soccer activities culminating with the launch of the 2023 TEAM Camp.

TEAM Camp 2023 Kicks Off

The “TEAM” in SWB Nicaragua’s TEAM Camp is a "Spanglish" acronym that stands for "trabajando en equipo aprendemos más" or "working as a team we learn more." Team work, inclusion, and gender equity – this acronym encompasses what our camps at SWB Nicaragua are all about! This year's camp took place on January 9-14 and brought together girls from across the Granada region for team-building activities, soccer sessions, and, of course, a Zumbathon – a beloved tradition at SWB Nicaragua!

Award from the Football Federation of Nicaragua 

At the close of 2022, SWB Nicaragua was recognized by FENIFUT, the Football Federation of Nicaragua, for 15 years of contribution to the development of girls' and women's soccer across the country. Director Veronica Balladares accepted the recognition, stating "we accept this and offer it to our community: parents and families, friends, donors, our team of supporters, coaches past and present, volunteers past and present from around the world, organizations who have believed in our work, but above all else, our participants past and present! This is thanks to you all!"

Links:

• SWB Nicaragua Facebook Page

Ten years ago, the United Nations declared October 11 as the Day of the Girl, a day that recognizes girls’ rights and the unique challenges they face globally. At Soccer Without Borders (SWB), we believe that soccer has the power to break barriers, overcome challenges, and lift up the rights of girls around the world. Soccer, the global game, has become an important tool in the fight for gender equity and has a unique ability to influence perceptions and unlock pathways to equality.  

Investing in girls creates a ripple effect that carries through to her family, community, and her future. When designed intentionally and with emotional and physical safety as foundations, sport programs can be a catalyst for academic advancement, increased confidence, positive body image, and healthy decision-making.

Creating opportunities for girls and women in sport, where previously they did not exist, does not happen in days, months, or even years. It can take a generation. The story of the Granada Fútbol Club Femenino team, or Granada FC Women, is a perfect example of that generational change. 

Click here to read the inspirational story of Granada FC and learn all about the team’s connection to SWB Nicaragua and the incredible positive influence that they have had in the local community. 

A Month of Celebrations at SWB Nicaragua

For most people, International Day of the Girl celebrations are typically limited to a single day. At SWB Nicaragua, we have made an effort to take things one step further by bringing attention to the rights of girls’ throughout the month of October with a number of celebrations and activities. 

Festivities kicked off with the annual Copa De La Paz (Peace Cup) tournament. The 2022 edition of this cherished girls-only tournament saw 375 participants across 20 teams take the field! Spirits were high for another successful and impactful Copa de la Paz, a tradition that continues to lift up the community by providing opportunity, forging friendships, and creating countless smiles all around! We want to send a shoutout to Bristol Link in the UK for their continued support of this annual event.

In mid-October, SWB Nicaragua organized a week-long youth festival for girls from the local community. Festivities included a week of mini-workshops designed to educate participants on topics such as personal hygiene, understanding one’s rights as a girl, the importance of the International Day of the Girl, and stories of girls from other countries around the world. Finally, the week was capped off with a talent show featuring both coaches and youth participants! 

Links:

• SWB Nicaragua Facebook Page

Links:

• SOMOS launch
• SOMOS Launch Video

We are thrilled to announce that our Fútbol Sin Fronteras (FSF, Soccer Without Borders in Spanish) Education Program has awarded its annual scholarships for 2022, bringing our total to over 450 scholarships since the program began. The FSF Education program was established to facilitate positive secondary school outcomes for participants of Fútbol Sin Fronteras Granada through a system of financial, academic, and social-emotional support that empowers participants to overcome barriers to success. The FSF Education Program was launched in 2014 in memory of a student-athlete who exhibited humility, dedication to school and team, integrity, hard work, care for self and others. The program was established by his family to provide educational and financial support to girls in FSF who have dedicated themselves to learning, to their team, and to their futures.The education program works in tandem with soccer, leadership, and health activities to support girls to reach their full potential on the field and off.

Read the 2021 FSF Education Program report here>>

The 2022 school year in Nicaragua kicked off in February, awarding primary, secondary, and university scholarships to over 90 girls. With ongoing support from the Tom Pope Memorial Fund and Girls Rights Project, in addition to individual supporters, since its creation the program has now awarded over 475 scholarships. The combination of financial and academic resources supports girls to maintain an average academic advancement rate of 93% over the last five years in a context where nearly half of students in the general population do not advance to secondary school.

The FSF Education Program's scholarship provides not only matriculation and semester fees, but also school uniforms, school supplies, tutoring, access to computers and internet, and regular check-ins with school staff, parents, and students.

"Since my daughter joined Soccer Without Borders, she has experienced significant changes in her life to the point that the teacher at her school comments that she has become more sure of herself, social, and participatory in class. I thank Soccer Without Borders because it’s the only organization working with girls that creates a safe space where they can raise their voices."

-Taymara S., participant parent

Felicidades to all of the 2022 scholarship recipients!

The FSF Scholarship provides...

Links:

• Read the Full Announcement
• Education Program Report 2021

Dear Friends,

As we close out 2021, we are sending gratitude to everyone who has supported our efforts to provide safe and positive spaces for the girls of Fútbol Sin Fronteras (FSF) amidst difficult times. The resilience of our participants, the hard work of our staff, and the investment of our community of supporters enabled us to keep innovating, responding, and expanding our work. This includes:

1. The FSF Education Program: Since its creation, the Fútbol Sin Fronteras (Soccer Without Borders) Education program in Nicaragua has awarded a total of 386 scholarships, including 359 secondary and primary school scholarships and 27 university scholarships. In 2021, the program also distributed 1382 units of food and basic needs support. Read more about this program and its 2021 impact in this report.

2. Reaching new communities: In partnership with Plan International and Women Win, FSF coaches continued to lead coaching clinics across Nicaragua, advancing gender equity on and off the field of play. Our strength in coaching was complemented by the entire FSF staff earning their CONCACAF D Licenses this year.  Read more here.

3. Expanded partnership with Capelli Sport: After a two year partnership in the USA, Capelli Sport has renewed and expanded its partnership with Soccer Without Borders to include SWB NIcaragua, becoming the official uniform and apparel provider of SWB globally. Read the announcement.

4. 2nd Division Team Launch: Though competitive soccer is not our focus, as the only soccer organization for girls in Granada, our participants, coaches, and graduates are some of the most talented players in the country. This Fall, we were invited by the Nicaraguan Football Federation to enter a women's team into the 2nd division representing the department of Granada. The team, made up nearly entirely of FSF coaches and alumnae, sits atop their division currently and has garnered a strong following in the city. Follow the team on Facebook.

5. Regional leadership: SWB Nicaragua staff will share their experience and expertise as facilitators of the new SOMOS Equidad Global Goal 5 Accelerator in Latin America. With participating organizations from Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, and Ecuador, the project not only seeks to empower girls on the pitch but also aims to break down societal mechanisms that contribute to gender inequalities at large. Read more here.