São Bernardo do Campo Boosts Girls' Football Through Meninas de Chuteiras Project
The São Bernardo do Campo-based Meninas de Chuteiras project is empowering girls with free football training, supported by state funding, and fostering female participation in the sport.
- • The Meninas de Chuteiras project offers free football and futsal training to 40 girls aged 10 and up.
- • Funded by the Lei Paulista de Incentivo ao Esporte, the project provides essential equipment and uniforms.
- • Some participants have progressed to youth teams at major clubs like Corinthians and Ferroviária.
- • Training sessions take place at Centro Esportivo Ademir Furlan with new participants currently being accepted.
Key details
The Meninas de Chuteiras project in São Bernardo do Campo is advancing girls' football by offering free training and fostering a supportive environment for young athletes. Organized by the Associação Desportiva do ABCD and funded by the Lei Paulista de Incentivo ao Esporte, the initiative currently supports 40 girls aged 10 and older, providing them training in both futsal and football without cost.
The project addresses the gap in traditional football schools that primarily focus on boys, creating a safe space where girls can pursue the sport with confidence. Márcia Dantas, the project's coach, emphasizes the importance of these opportunities for female players. Although Meninas de Chuteiras is not solely aimed at competitive performance, some participants have succeeded in joining youth teams of notable clubs such as Corinthians and Ferroviária.
Funding from the Lei Paulista de Incentivo ao Esporte has been crucial for procuring necessary equipment like balls and uniforms, aiding the program's expansion. Training sessions are held every Saturday at the Centro Esportivo Ademir Furlan, and the project is currently accepting new participants.
This initiative complements other regional efforts, including an upcoming female football selection in nearby Jundiaí on March 21, which targets girls aged 12 to 17 for the Time Jundiaí team, illustrating growing support for girls' football in São Paulo state.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Age range of participants
Sources report different age ranges for participants in football programs.
agenciasp.sp.gov.br
"currently engages 40 girls aged 10 and above"
jundiai.sp.gov.br
"a female football selection event will be held for girls aged 12 to 17, specifically those born between 2009 and 2014"
Why this matters: The first source mentions girls aged 10 and above, while the second source specifies girls aged 12 to 17. This discrepancy affects understanding of the target demographic for each program.