How can you create a positive change in a community? One of the easiest ways is to empower the most underprivileged in the community. In a patriarchal society like India, girls are often the most disadvantaged. In the heart of Noida, a group of individuals is doing exactly that— giving underprivileged girls the opportunity to learn and play football. This is the story of Footy Femmes, an initiative that is trying to make a change in the community, one header at a time.
Building a Future Through Football
“We focus on girls in the age group of 8-12 years. We plan to provide scientifically sound, professional football training for our girls so that we can field a competitive team in five years,” says Dhritabrata Basak, the Operations Manager of Footy Femmes.
The initiative was commenced in July 2023 and now has grown into a structured program operating across 2 centers in three sectors of Noida. In Sector 131, sessions are held once a week, while in Sector 141, the girls receive training three times a week.
“We aim to provide maximum training sessions and playing time for our players. We analyzed our activities a year back when we were providing around 30 sessions per year. We didn’t find a substantial improvement in the skills of the players. Then we decided to increase the number of sessions to 90 per year and the improvement was palpable then”, Dhrita continued.
The Backbone of Footy Femmes
Arka Bhattacharya, Shantanu Yadav (owner of FC Noida), Abreshmina, and Nancy Gupta are the team behind the Footy Femmes. A team of three dedicated coaches, affiliated with FC Noida, leads the training. FC Noida has been a part of this activity since the early days and the facilities of FC Noida are being used for the same.
“We started as a school-based program. However, we realized that the academic activities, exams, vacations, etc. may affect our program. Then, only around 30 girls were part of our program. That’s when the team decided to take the program beyond the schools. We mapped out all residential areas of underprivileged children within a one-kilometer radius. Then the team members went there and convinced the parents of the children to send their wards for training. The efforts paid off, and soon, the number of players rose to 90. Currently, there are almost 150 girls getting trained under Footy Femmes”, Dhrita added.
More Than Just a Game
Most of these girls had never kicked a football before joining Footy Femmes. Today, thanks to structured training, and encouragement, they are developing into skilled players. Beyond the game, this initiative instills discipline, teamwork, and confidence, qualities that will benefit them in all walks of life.
Footy Femmes is not just a club but a community-driven movement. It mixes public engagement and membership, ensuring that fans are not just spectators but an integral part of the journey and play an active role in shaping the future of the club.
With every pass, dribble, and goal, these girls are not just playing a sport—they are breaking barriers, redefining gender roles, and creating a future filled with opportunities.
