THE FIRST AND MOST important objective of the Live Your Goals Football Festival campaign is to inspire and encourage women and girls to play football.
This was the theme for the second edition of the Live Your Goals programme which was introduced to the St George community last Saturday.
It began with a motorcade, which started at Chefette Charles Rowe Bridge and went through neighbouring districts, climaxing with a parade showcasing the Barbados Flag, FIFA fair play flag and the FIFA flag on the Glebe Playing Field.
Live Your Goals is a programme launched by FIFA at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011.
“What it does, it tries to inspire girls to be involved in the game, it provides an avenue for people to empower and uplift themselves through the sport and again it’s all about retention, because we are trying to build the number of female players in Barbados . . . .
“It is not only necessarily [about] players, but also referees and administration, so that’s why we encourage parents, because perhaps they may want to get involved in the clubs and it could become a niche for them to enjoy,” said Barbados Football Association’s marketing and communications officer Katrina Kirton.
The ambassadors attached to the programme are Gabriella Lopez, Tiffany White, Shanice Stevenson and Giselle Fields.
“Those girls have really good stories to tell on how football has changed their lives and they have really proven to be role models to some of the younger ones coming on to look up to and inspire them,” said Kirton.
The children warmed up to soca music before they were divided into six groups set out on the field.
National Under-15 and Under-17 coaches Kerry Trotman and Thomas Jordan were supported by participants of the woman’s coaching course in introducing tactics and skills.
“Do not knock it until you try it – see how it is for you. There is a notion that football is a boys’ sport, but we say no. It’s a game that girls can play as well. It may be different from netball, but it is just as impactful on personal development and provides opportunities [for]scholarships and travelling the world,” said Kirton.
The festival continues on July 15 in Speightstown, August 20 at Hilda Skeene, and concludes on September 10 at the Wildey AstroTurf.
Kirton said, what they are trying to do is to build up the [campaign] so the girls can join clubs and start playing in a league competitively. (JC)