- Xcalibur Foundation, Badajoz Provincial Council and its Department for Equality, together with Sport Extremadura CD, have resumed activities under the ByEM project.
- The project is expanding to reach 43 female football players, working with all 23 players in the first team and, for the first time, the 20 players in the reserve team.
- Participants will receive training in Service-Learning, leadership, well-being and personal development, before sharing what they have learnt with primary and secondary schools across the province.
- The first team will compete in ‘Primera RFEF’ with the aim of challenging for promotion to the top flight, while the reserve team will play in ‘Tercera Federación Femenina’ – the division in which the first team competed just two seasons ago.
Two teams: a new dimension for ByEM
During the first weekend of September, Xcalibur Foundation presented the new activities planned as part of the ByEM project (Bienestar y Empoderamiento de la Mujer – Women’s Well-being and Empowerment) to the players and coaching staff of Sport Extremadura CD. The main development this year is the inclusion of the reserve team. For the first time, the project will work with both squads, expanding both the scope of its training programme and its potential social impact.
The support of the Department for Equality at Badajoz Provincial Council is fundamental to this growth. Its involvement strengthens ByEM’s gender equality focus, enables the development of new educational activities and provides the resources and support the players need to take what they have learnt into schools across the province.
“This project empowers women and girls through sport, fostering leadership and inspiring future generations across the province of Badajoz”, said Lourdes Linares Matito, Councillor for Equality at Badajoz Provincial Council.
As part of the programme, the footballers will take part in workshops and training sessions covering Service-Learning, equality, teamwork, well-being, leadership and personal development. They will then share these insights through the talks and activities that ByEM will deliver throughout the academic year in primary and secondary schools across the province of Badajoz.
This new phase will enable more athletes to develop as role models and agents of change, supporting their growth beyond the football pitch while using sport to help promote a more equal society.
“Bringing new players into the project allows us to expand the network of sporting and social role models available to children and young people. We want these footballers to be recognised not only for what they achieve on the pitch, but also for their ability to inspire others, support their communities and make a positive impact on those around them”, said Javier Lezcano, Director of Xcalibur Foundation.
A project growing alongside Sport Extremadura CD
ByEM’s development is progressing in parallel with Sport Extremadura CD’s sporting growth. The first team begins the 2026/27 season in Primera RFEF, aiming to challenge for promotion to the top flight, while the reserve team will compete in Tercera Federación Femenina – the division in which the first team itself played only two seasons ago.
Bringing both teams into the project means players can now begin, at an earlier stage of their development, a pathway that combines sport, education and social engagement.
“This project marks a turning point for Spanish sport. Working alongside Xcalibur Foundation, we want to make it available to every club that shares our values and is committed to empowering women and girls”, said Fernando Pons, President of Sport Extremadura CD.
With this new phase, ByEM is expanding its network of participants and role models, connecting the players’ personal and professional development with educational initiatives aimed at young people.
