The Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), with the support of FIFA through the FIFA Women’s Football Campaign, has successfully concluded a three-week grassroots initiative in the southern region of Mahé, introducing hundreds of young girls to the beautiful game.
The campaign, the first of its kind to be delivered in the South, aimed to create more opportunities for girls to experience football in a fun, safe, and inclusive environment. Over three consecutive weekends, girls from Primary 1 to Primary 6 participated in football activities designed to introduce the game at a younger age.
The programme was delivered in age groups, allowing participants to enjoy activities appropriate to their stage of development. The final weekend featured Primary 1 and Primary 2 pupils, whose enthusiasm, energy, and smiles perfectly captured the spirit of the campaign.
One of the campaign’s greatest successes was the community involvement. Parents attended to cheer on and encourage their children, while teachers played an important role in supporting and motivating participants throughout the programme. Their involvement helped create a positive and welcoming environment where every girl felt confident to participate, regardless of previous football experience.
The Seychelles Football Federation also recognises the dedication of its coaches, volunteers, and staff, whose commitment ensured the smooth delivery of each session. A special mention goes to Women’s National Team Manager Vesna Cesar, who stepped into the role of referee during the festival matches, patiently guiding the youngest participants through the rules of the game and helping create an enjoyable learning experience for every player.
Adding further inspiration to the campaign were members of the Seychelles Women’s National Team, who attended throughout the programme to encourage the girls and share their passion for football. Their presence demonstrated that with commitment, hard work, and determination, young girls can aspire to represent Seychelles on the international stage.
Reflecting on the conclusion of the campaign, Head of Women’s Football Chris Yip-Au highlighted the importance of expanding football opportunities across the country.
“This campaign has shown the incredible impact football can have in bringing communities together and inspiring young girls to become active through sport. Seeing the smiles, confidence, and enthusiasm displayed over the past three weekends has been truly rewarding. We are extremely grateful to the schools, teachers, parents, coaches, volunteers, and FIFA for making this initiative possible. This is only the beginning, and we look forward to taking the campaign to other regions of Seychelles as we continue to grow the women’s game.”
The FIFA Women’s Football Campaign forms part of the Seychelles Football Federation’s long-term commitment to increasing female participation in football and creating accessible pathways from grassroots participation to elite performance.
As the campaign concludes in the South, attention now turns to the next region, where even more girls will have the opportunity to discover the joy of football and become part of the continued growth of women’s football in Seychelles.
The Seychelles Football Federation extends its sincere appreciation to all participating schools, head teachers, teachers, parents, volunteers, and everyone who contributed to making this initiative a resounding success. Together, we are building a brighter future for women’s football in Seychelles.
