EMPOWERING GIRLS WITH SPORT
EMPOWERING GIRLS WITH SPORT
SUPPORTING GIRLS IN RURAL AFRICA THROUGH NETBALL SPORTS CLUBS
Netball is a hybrid between handball and basketball. While boys prefer soccer, netball is the sport of choice for girls across Southern Africa. Unfortunately, funding and access to netball is often limited or takes a backseat to soccer. Impact Network's new initiative, NetGirls Zambia, empowers and improves the lives of girls by providing opportunity for growth through play and engagement in group sport.
We currently operate in rural villages in the Katete district of Eastern Zambia, where we are preparing for a 2020 season with 140 teams and over 1400 girls competing for the highly sought after league champion title!
“In rural areas, nearly one in three girls between the ages of 15 and 19 is a teen mom, the average girl gets married at age 18 and has 6.6 children in her lifetime”
140 TEAMS 1400+ GIRLS
140 TEAMS 1400+ GIRLS
WHY GIRLS SPORTS?
In Zambia, girls often miss out on opportunities to play sports because they are expected to help with chores and take care of younger siblings. Yet research shows that giving girls the opportunity to play sports has benefits including: breaking down gender stereotypes, building leadership skills, expanding social networks, providing female mentorship and role models, teaching teamwork, building self-esteem and improving happiness through healthy, social organized activities.
HOW DOES THE LEAGUE WORK?
Ad-hoc teams exist in rural areas, however many lack proper equipment, structure and support to operate in an organized way. Teams are coached by volunteers and managed at the ward level by local staff. Teams practice daily and hold games with teams from neighboring villages on weekends. Scores and game recaps are announced on local radio. Initially the focus has been on athletics, however in 2018 the league added a life skills and health program, including workshops on how to make reusable menstrual pads. In addition, a financial literacy program was offered in 2019, targeting out-of-school young women and girls.
SCORE ONE
SCORE ONE