Football is more than what happens on the pitch. It can be a powerful tool for connection, confidence and creating a sense of belonging and that is the foundation of Adelaide United and Mentoring, Coaching and Counselling’s co-designed Empowering Girls Through Football Program.
Designed to support young women the eight-week program combines football with mentoring, wellbeing and personal development, creating a safe and inclusive space for participants to build confidence, explore their identity, strengthen communication skills and develop leadership capabilities.
Co-designed and co-delivered with Mentoring, Coaching and Counselling (MCC), the program takes a culturally responsive approach, using interactive activities and football to explore topics including cultural identity, belonging, emotional resilience, conflict resolution, relationships, leadership and future goals. Each 90-minute session is split between approximately 45 minutes of theory-based discussion and activities, followed by 45 minutes on the football pitch.
Adelaide Secondary School of English
Most recently, the program was delivered at Adelaide Secondary School of English (ASSOE) as an after-school initiative between June and August. The program concluded with a celebration session, where participants came together to reflect on their journey and received certificates recognising their participation and achievements throughout the program.
ASSOE is a New Arrivals Program School supporting students from non-English speaking backgrounds. The school plays an important role in helping students adjust to life in Australia, build connections and develop a sense of community.
For many of the participants, the program provided an opportunity to experience football in a new way, not simply as a sport, but as a vehicle for conversations around identity, relationships, leadership and wellbeing.
“Empowering Girls Through Football is very different because when I asked them in the first week if they had ever gotten an opportunity like this, most of them said no,” MCC’s Afua Alfa said.
“Not even just the physical side of football. They’re able to look at ideas of leadership and communication and even conflict. They were able to resolve conflicts better because of activities of football and the theory side as well.”
Creating Confidence Through Connection
The program maintained strong engagement throughout its eight weeks, with students taking part in group discussions, interactive activities, role plays, reflections and football-based exercises.
The result was a group of young women who felt increasingly confident expressing themselves, recognising their strengths and connecting with those around them.
For the participants, the impact was reflected in their own words.
“It was a very good lesson.The role-play activity was very good because it was very fun but still got us to learn how to approach conflicts with each other.”
“I learnt what characteristics I already have that makes me a good leader and I was able to talk about what I can work on to make me a better leader.”
“It helped me to be more confident with myself and to control my emotions.”
The impact extended beyond the participants, with ASSOE staff highlighting the importance of creating a safe environment where students could openly discuss identity, culture and wellbeing.
Teacher Bronwen McClelland praised the program’s interactive and culturally sensitive approach, noting its role in helping students build confidence, recognise their strengths and foster connections.
ASSOE Principal Anti Macri also highlighted the value of giving students the opportunity to build relationships while developing skills that can support them well beyond the program:
“A program like this gives them an opportunity to work together, to get to know each other, to make new friendships, but also learn skills such as leadership skills, teamwork, and they have fun.”
The after-school format also required a collaborative approach to removing barriers to participation, with Adelaide United working alongside Club Partner Des Minibus to support transport for students.
Growing our impact across South Australia
The ASSOE delivery is part of the program’s broader rollout across South Australia. We continue creating opportunities and reach young women across different school communities and provide access to an initiative that combines football with meaningful personal development.
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