Granada, Nicaragua
TEAM (Trabajando en Equipo Aprendemos Más) Granada is an SWB core program
Follow Futbol Sin Fronteras Granada on Facebook
Background
Throughout Nicaragua, girls sport and recreational opportunities are not prioritized when compared to the number of opportunities offered to their male peers. Being a member of SWB Granada automatically provides participants with a strong identity to a program that offers a safety net of supportive mentors and peers that they likely would not find elsewhere in their communities. This welcoming space provides the girls with the opportunity to learn life-skills, learn soccer and receive the support necessary to become leaders within their own communities.
Description
T.E.A.M. (Trabajando en Equipo Aprendemos Más) works most closely with girls ages 7-16 in the city of Granada located an hour south of Nicaragua's capital, Managua. T.E.A.M. Granada initially began working with 25 girls in February, 2008, and has grown to more than 100 registered participants and an alumni team. Currently there are four groups, las Mariposas Juniors and Seniors (7-9 and 10-11 year olds) and las Estrellas Juniors and Seniors (11-12 and 13-15 year olds), as well as a "Veterana" team for girls and women who have aged out of the Core Program. These teams practice two to three times per week depending on age and meet for activity nights an addition two days per week. In addition to regular weekly programming, multiple workshops are offered each season in which local women share their unique expertise with the participants, or local organizations share their expertise and teach valuable lessons. Additionally, Las Estrellas and Veteranas compete in a predominantly male weekend soccer league and homework hours are open to all participants before activity nights.
To support the growth of girls soccer and encourage quality youth coaching in and around Granada, SWB Granada staff frequently host coaches clinics and coach local gym classes, supporting local infrastructure through equipment donations and coaching resources.
US Staff
Mary McVeigh, Program Director: mary@soccerwithoutborders.org
Lindsey Whitford, Program Coordinator: lindsey@soccerwithoutborders.org
In-Country Staff
Larkin Brown, Local Program Director: larkin@soccerwithoutborders.org
Veronica Balladares, Team Leader- Estrella Seniors
Estefan Bolanos, Team Leader- Estrella Seniors
Hassell Chavez Bustamante, Team Leader- Mariposa Juniors
Eden Guadamuz, Team Leader- Estrella Juniors
Mady Hernandez, Team Leader- Mariposa Juniors, Bookkeeper
Allie Horwitz, Team Leader- Estrella Seniors, External Relations Associate
Helen Ramirez Montiel, Assistant- Estrella Juniors
Cesar Morales, Team Leader- Mariposa Seniors
Rebecca Nunley, Team Leader- Mariposa Seniors, Facility Manager, Grant Coordinator
Kelly Pope, Team Leader- Estrella- Juniors, M&E Associate
From Left to Right: Mady Hernandez, Hassell Bustamante, Helen Ramirez, Larkin Brown, Cesar Morales, Veronica Balladares, Eden Guadamuz, Kelly Pope, Allie Horwitz, Rebecca Nunley, Estefan Bolanos
Partners
FENIFUT
FIFA's Academia de Talentos
Girl Effect Fund
Hotel Con Corazon
Open Meadows Foundation
US Embassy in Managua
Highlights
First phase of the Inter-American Women's Soccer Exchange is complete! Check out the stories on ESPNW and the Nicaragua Dispatch, and this video:
Feature on Winter volunteer Ellery Gould
Los Juegos Olimpicos de FSF from Soccer Without Borders on Vimeo.
Meet the participants of SWB Granada
Futbol Sin Fronteras Granada from Soccer Without Borders on Vimeo.