Malawi’s Tabitha Chamwinga and Gaëlle Enganamouit of Cameroon are part of the players who are participating in the inaugural edition of the FIFA Player Impact Programme – “a pilot project to empower female professional footballers to leverage their platforms and resources for positive change.”
Chamwinga is a forward that plies her trade in France with Lyon, and runs the TC11 Academy: Providing access to quality football and education for girls in Malawi, while Enganamouit is a former Cameroonian international – she is in charge of Rails Football Academy: Transforming passion into opportunity for girls in Cameroon through football and education.
The African duo is among a group of 14 players who were part of the launch edition of the FIFA Player Impact Programme.
The initiative started Paris in August this year, gathering together FIFA Women’s World Cup winners and legends of the women’s game. After meeting for a three-day workshop in the French capital, the group of players further received support over a three month period from FIFA and expert guidance from a leading external specialist in sports social impact, this through personalised coaching.
“The programme allowed players to design and lead their own social impact initiatives. Drawing on their personal experiences both on and off the pitch, the players have focused on causes they care about – from supporting female leaders or single mums, to expanding girls’ football academies,” said FIFA in a statement.
“By channelling their influence into action, the programme is helping some of the sport’s biggest names create real, lasting change, reflecting FIFA’s commitment to expanding opportunity and access for women and girls around the world.”
After three months of training, the group met in London last month to present their ideas to a FIFA panel that included FIFA Chief Football Officer, Jill Ellis.
“The topics are diverse, but the common thread is that they care, and they want to address a problem. It’s inspiring to listen to them, how they’ve thought through it and the steps that they want to take. At its core, this is what we’re about. We believe in the mantra ‘football unites the world’, this is bringing people together. It’s about using football as a force for good. For FIFA this is at its core, what we want to do. How do we create access and opportunity for people,” said Ellis.
“I’ve been blown away to hear how thoughtful their projects are, how meaningful they are to them, and the actual impact of what they’re trying to do. The players’ legacy on the pitch is established, but how do we help them build their legacy off the pitch? How can they impact the communities they come from?”
A case in point of the presentations is that of Canadian Kadeisha Buchanan, who grew up in a single parent home. She leads the KB3 Foundation: Turning football into opportunity for single mothers and their daughters in Canada.
“My foundation is built to create pathways through soccer. So, being able to grant them funds for registration fees, travel costs and stuff like that, but also, it extends off the field, we’ll be able to provide mentorship. Obviously, the funds are going elsewhere in their families’ lives like rent and living expenses, so they don’t have the extra money to do fun things,” said Buchanan.
“It was very difficult growing up with six other sisters. There’s a lot of mouths to feed and a lot of things to take care of. But my mother really hustled, she asked friends and family to help with travel, registration fees and uniforms. So, it really took a community to get me where I am today through football.”
While players have always dreamt of using their platforms to create change, FIFA is now providing them with the guidance and resources to turn the vision into reality – this will be through expertise and dedicated support which will see them benefit from coaching, financial assistance, and global promotion.
Here is what others said:
TABITHA CHAMWINGA: Malawi
“Most of us dream of making a meaningful impact in our communities— giving back to the very people who witnessed our struggles and our poverty, and showing them that a better world is possible, that every child’s dream matters. All it takes is igniting a spark within them and offering a platform, just as I did for my sister Temwa, revealing undeniable champions. Being part of FIFA has strengthened my vision of creating this opportunity for girls in Malawi with FIFA’s support. I will not rest until every Malawian girl believes in her potential for greatness through football.”
ALESSIA RUSSO: England
“We’ve been given an amazing opportunity to partner with FIFA and all create a real individual project that hopefully will have a massive impact in different areas. It’s really nice to connect with all the girls and hear their stories, hear their passions, and I can’t wait to see everyone bring it to life. I’ve always wanted to have an impact away from the pitch. I’ve always loved football, but I’ve also loved connecting with young girls and young fans that I meet along the way. For me, it’s always been really important to develop the next generation.”
TIERNA DAVIDSON: USA
“It’s so difficult to get something off the ground, to have that initial first step. To be able to have FIFA’s support is incredibly crucial.”
Here is the list of the players and their Foundations:
TABITHA CHAWINGA: Malawi
TC11 Academy: Providing access to quality football and education for girls in Malawi
GAËLLE ENGANAMOUIT: Cameroon
Rails Football Academy: Transforming passion into opportunity for girls in Cameroon through football and education
MARY EARPS: England
The Mary Earps Young Female Goalkeepers Awards: Celebrating the skill, resilience, and leadership of young goalkeepers in England
LYDIA WILLIAMS: Australia
Yilkari Program Powered by Dreamtime Spirit: Supporting Aboriginal girls and young women to play, connect, and thrive through football, community, and healthy living.
SEBA TAWFIQ: Saudi Arabia
She Shoots!: Fuelling the growth of Saudi women’s football with inspiring performances and authentic storytelling.
KHADIJA BUNNY SHAW: Jamaica
Play Her Way Development Programme: Advancing girls’ access to quality football training in Spanish Town, Jamaica
MELCHIE DUMORNAY: Haiti
Perles Des Caraibes: Providing safety, guidance, and opportunity for Haitian girls to reach their full potential through football
SAKI KUMAGAI: Japan
Saki Kumagai World Challenge: Inspiring Japanese girls to play football, connect with the wider world, and develop the confidence and strength to succeed in life
LAURA GEORGES: Guadeloupe
Fanm Lide: Elevating female leaders to shape the future of football in Guadeloupe
KADEISHA BUCHANAN: Canada
KB3 Foundation: Turning football into opportunity for single mothers and their daughters in Canada
MALIA STEINMETZ: New Zealand
The Mana Moana Leadership Council: Building belonging in football for Pasifika girls in Auckland, New Zealand
ALESSIA RUSSO: England
Power Her Play: Creating 23 opportunities for girls to play with pride, learn with purpose, and live with power – because her potential is limitless
FORMIGA – Brazil
Breaking Barriers: Creating opportunities for girls across Brazil to conquer their dreams through football
TIERNA DAVIDSON: USA
The Power Lab: Championing ACL 12 injury prevention and body literacy for the next generation of female athletes in the United States
By Matlhomola Morake
(additional reporting FIFA.com)
