On Wednesday, December 4th, the players of the Sport Extremadura CD women’s team —competing in the 3rd RFEF Women’s League— begin a series of talks in schools in Badajoz. These activities aim to break gender stereotypes related to sports and promote fundamental values such as equality and leadership.
Badajoz, December 4, 2024
- As part of the Well-being and Employability of Women (ByEM) program, players from Sport Extremadura CD begin a series of talks in schools and high schools in Badajoz.
- The goal is to dismantle gender stereotypes in sports from childhood and adolescence, promoting values such as equality, leadership, and well-being through female role models.
- The 23 football players become change agents through dynamic and inspiring activities.
- This project is an initiative of Fundación Xcalibur in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Badajoz and its Equality Area.
Promoting Sports Participation for Girls: A Priority
One of the main objectives of these talks is to encourage girls to participate in sports and overcome the concerning dropout rate in Spain: 38% of girls between the ages of 12 and 14 stop practicing sports for good. Of these, 94% do not voluntarily quit, but rather due to various social, cultural, and access barriers.
With the goal of improving the well-being of both girls and boys and bringing them closer to sports in a healthy and equal manner, the talks presented today by the players are the result of a year of work within the Well-being and Employability of Women (ByEM) programme, developed by Fundación Xcalibur with support from the Provincial Council of Badajoz through its Equality Area.
“Sports have demonstrated their enormous ability to empower women and girls. It is a powerful tool for conveying messages and values such as teamwork, self-sufficiency, and resilience, which has a multiplied effect on their health, education, and leadership development, turning them into agents of change in their environment. This is undoubtedly of vital importance for the Provincial Council of Badajoz, as it allows us to reach more boys and girls in our municipalities, creating role models for their future development.” — Lourdes Linares Matito, Equality Deputy of the Provincial Council of Badajoz.
Female Athletes Who Inspire and Lead
Throughout 2024, the 23 players have participated in an extensive training process led by the technical team of Fundación Xcalibur and 17 experts in emotional management and well-being. These training sessions included workshops on public speaking, coaching sessions, Learning and Service dynamics, and gender perspective sports training. Additionally, activities focused on self-esteem, leadership, the creation of work protocols, personality archetypes, and advanced techniques such as Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), among other personal development skills, were carried out.
This program has not only enhanced the personal and professional development of the players but also equipped them with the tools to become social role models and agents of change, inspiring children in their communities.
“ByEM aims for the players to not only grow as athletes and individuals but also lead and inspire children,” highlights Javier Lezcano, Executive Director of Fundación Xcalibur
A Pioneering Model of Equality and Empowerment
This innovative project strengthens the commitment to gender equality and female empowerment in the province of Badajoz. Moreover, it lays the foundation for replicating similar initiatives in other autonomous communities, establishing sports as a key tool for social transformation.
“We are very proud of the impact achieved in these 11 months of the program. These ladies are not only sports role models; they have also become social figures who inspire and lead change,” says María José Toro, President of Fundación Xcalibur.
ByEM: Transforming the Future Through Sports
The Well-being and Employability of Women programme marks a turning point in collaboration between institutions and sports agents. This collective effort demonstrates how sports can contribute to building a more equitable and just future for all.