Real Betis Balompié Foundation – More than Champions Kick Off in Seville
This initiative, organised by the Junta de Andalucía, Fútbol Más España, FutboLISTAS, the Real Betis Balompié Foundation and with the support of CEAR, among others, celebrates the Women’s World Cup by helping girls from the poorest neighbourhoods of the city.
The Junta de Andalucía, together with the Real Betis Balompié Foundation, FutboLISTAS, Fútbol Más and with the collaboration of the Spanish Commission for Refugee Aid (CEAR) and the UEFA Foundation for Children, are launching Más que Campeonas (More than Champions), an initiative to celebrate the Women’s World Cup with inclusive sport in equality.
On the 21st of July, the opening ceremony was held at the Ciudad Deportiva Luis del Sol with the presence of approximatively 40 girls participating in the campus. In addition, representing the different institutions and organising entities, were present Carmen Ortiz Laynez, delegate of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Andalusian Government in Seville; and Antonietta Pagliaro, programme director of FutboLISTAS. As representatives of Fútbol Más, Natalia Bellido Valencia, social coordinator in Seville, and Marta Mena Ávalos, social technician, attended the event. Marta González and María Pry, coach of Real Betis Féminas, participated on behalf of the Real Betis Balompié Foundation.
The main objective of the project is to empower girls aged 6-12 from vulnerable communities in Andalusia through play and sport. More than Champions promotes the development of life, and sports skills in girls through socio-sports activities and football. Additionally, it generates positive links between girls living in different locations through sporting events, and helps to change the girls’ perspective on traditionally male dominated sport practices.
It also promotes new role models for girls, reducing prejudices about the role of women in sport and society, making visible and giving girls and their families access to watch the matches of the Women’s World Cup from a pedagogical perspective as well as, generating awareness campaigns and actions on social networks.
These free football camps, which are aimed at girls aged between 6 and 12, started on the 24th of July and will run until the 18th of August 2023, during the World Cup. Specifically, four camps will be held in the following locations:
- Torreblanca
- Mairena del Aljarafe
- Polígono Sur
- Amate
Each participating girl will enjoy two activities per week, each lasting four hours. There will be three events where girls will meet and socialise with girls from other places through football. These events will be friendly, non-competitive encounters. In addition, as aforementioned, there will be encounters with female role models and the girls will watch matches of the Women’s World Cup from a pedagogical perspective.
SIDFOOT Project
The Pan-European programme SIDFOOT (“Community Football Drivers for social inclusion in deprived districts”) is a collaborative partnership programme, in which we are proud to be one of in total 8 partners delivering it. Real Betis Balompié Foundation is the coordinator of the project that found its inspiration in the figure of Jorge Morillo, who has dedicated his entire life to help the most disadvantaged people of Seville, especially those who are living in deprived areas of the city.
The general objective of this project is to make use of the huge potential of football as a tool to promote social inclusion and a healthier life for children and young people living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. SIDFOOT focuses on having a positive influence on the lives of children and young people living in deprived areas and involves activities that will steer young people towards education in values and the creation of healthy environments.
Aris Limassol FC Social, Environmental, and Health Initiatives
