TCIFA and Cargo Express Services Ltd. Champion for Girls Football

Over one hundred girls took part in the first ever All Girls Football Festival in Grand Turk. The event ran in partnership with Cargo Express Services, connected female students from the Ona Glinton Primary, Eliza Simons Primary and HJ Robinson High schools. Participants enjoyed a range of activities focusing on different football skills, including match-play, led by coaches from the Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA).

On Friday November 11th the Grand Turk Parade Grounds was illuminated by vibrant pink jerseys - this color symbolizing an intense, burning passion for football, and feminine power. Representation for all levels of grassroots football was significant; that is U6, U8, U12, and even U16.

Hailing the day a success, TCIFA’s Assistant to the Women’s Football Director, Olivia Graveley who was the brainchild behind this initiative said “It was fantastic to see so many girls show up with so much enthusiasm in playing football. It was a great opportunity for us to introduce the sport to girls who have never played before, teaching them new skills and rules of the game; but most importantly allowing them to have fun playing football, all whilst forging new friendships.

Carl Simmons, Director of Cargo Express Services commented, “The TCIFA continues to advance the sport of Football nationally and internationally, to include various competing age groups and genders in achieving success. Cargo Express Services family is proud to support the efforts of the TCIFA and congratulates the organizers for the many successes that they have achieved over the years. As a corporate sponsor, we are committed in supporting their efforts to promote the competitive and exciting sport of football. As a proud sponsor of the recently held Girls Football Festival in Grand Turk, we are elated that this successful event was fully embraced by the community.”

TCIFA continues to canvass the support of the local community, especially parents, as part of its drive to boost participation.

“We are incredibly proud of the support we received,” said TCIFA President, Sonia Fulford. TCIFA has been working extremely hard over the years to increase participation by women and girls in football. This festival has clearly shown the enthusiasm there is on the island of Grand Turk from young girls when they are offered the opportunity to participate in sports in general, and football in particular. The TCIFA is doing its part to ensure the game is an attractive for girls and women and assist in increasing girls’ confidence that football is in-fact a sport for them whilst simultaneously howcasing positive role models- both of which are crucial. The idea that football is only a sport for boys has been gradually eroding away. Everyone has the power in helping to break the mindset that football is a predominantly male sport, and parents can encourage their daughters to discover more about the sport if they, too, show interest; whether it be through watching matches together, signing up their children for weekly football training, or attending their training sessions and events. Football is for all!”

In conjunction with the Girls Football Festival, and in partnership with Cargo Express Services, TCIFA’s #GOAM (Girls on a Mission) hosted its first #PUFP (Pick Up for Progress) campaign on Front Street, Grand Turk. The campaign is an initiative to support the cleanup of litter or improperly disposed bulk items in areas such as roadside, beaches, parks, and outdoor recreational spaces, with an aim to protect the environment and supporting people in the communities.

#GOAM promotes the empowerment of young girls and women through projects and workshops, and are guided by the principles of community-service. With the role of women growing day by day, women’s movement is spreading wider in all contexts. TCIFA recognizes that the rise of women leaders is hugely a success of organizations continuing to encourage girls and women to participate in all aspects.

#GOAM envisions a community engaged in positive change, transformed by service. The programme’s vision is to promote caring and inclusive communities that respect, empower, and value all people to lead better quality lives. #GOAM aims to engage in analyzing and addressing community concerns, explore ways of building strong relationships at various levels of society, and expand footprint with increased support that reaches the length and breadth of the “Beautiful by Nature” Turks and Caicos Islands.