Great Goals Empowering Government School Girls Through ‘Just For Girls’ Football Program
Chennai, March 7, 2024 – Great Goals, Chennai’s premier football academy founded in 2013 by Priya Gopalen and Sandhya Rajan, is proud to empower government school girls through its dedicated football program, Just For Girls.
This initiative aims to teach excellent football skills within a safe and supportive environment, catering specifically to girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Just For Girls currently operates in Chennai and Ranipet, enrolling 424 girls.
Developed in response to requests from girls interested in football who wanted to play with other girls, the program offers scholarships covering coaching, kits, and travel expenses, ensuring inclusivity for students from all economic backgrounds.
The program partners with schools to encourage more girls to play football, including an exclusive girls program at Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School, Saidapet, as part of the partnership with the Greater Chennai Corporation under the CITIIS project.
In addition to breaking stereotypes about girls and football, Just For Girls observes increased confidence, improved body image, and enhanced ability to cope with mental stress among participants.
On International Women’s Day, Great Goals celebrated the remarkable achievements and aspirations of girls in football with the launch of HerStory, a mini-book capturing the voices of girls who play football.
This initiative highlights the journeys of players like Aadhya and Vasundhra, who found camaraderie and empowerment through football at Great Goals, as well as the dedication of girls like Udisha and Divya, who defy stereotypes and strive for excellence in the sport.
The event featured esteemed guests including Kalpana Nayak, IPS, ADGP, TNUSRB, Chennai, and Sumithra Kamaraj, Former Indian International Footballer, Tamil Nadu. The launch was followed by a football match to celebrate the spirit of the girls who play football.
The founders of Great Goals are committed to furthering the success of their girls’ teams.
They plan to consolidate the competitive girls’ teams, develop more female coaches, and expand their outreach to rural areas, empowering more girls through football.
Additionally, the academy aims to formalize initiatives focused on positive discipline, nutrition, and removing barriers for girls in sports.
Priya Gopalan, Co-Founder of Great Goals, said, “At Great Goals, there is a belief in the transformative power of football for girls. Just For Girls is a testament to our commitment to developing players, leaders, and role models.”
Sandhya Rajan, Co-Founder of Great Goals, added, “Through Just For Girls, we aim to inspire more girls to pursue their dreams in football. Our goal is to continue expanding opportunities for girls in sports, empowering them to reach their full potential.”
