National Girls and Women in Sports Day, is observed in America on February 2 this year and it is all about breaking gender stereotypes in sports, andwomen belonging in every aspect of sports. 

National Girls and Women in Sports Day was first observed in 1987, since then the day has evolved to commemorate all female athletes, their achievements, the positive impacts of inclusion of women in sports, and to address the challenges regarding equal participation of women in sports activities.  

The day is celebrated in all 50 states of the United States and the day is usually celebrated by organizing community events, award ceremonies, and other sports activities that inspire girls and women to play sports and be active. 

Why National Girls and Women in Sports Day is important to AFC?

As a family Club, we are steeped in a history that celebrates everyone, and it’s important to us to be an inclusive and diverse community; championing our 1st Team, Women’s Team, Youth players and local grassroots leagues as well as our Aberdeen FC Community Trust led activities and opportunities for everyone to get active. 

With international partnerships with Atlanta United, Allstars United and Grassroot Soccer; all of whom are based in America, we want to celebrate this day with them and encourage all Dons to learn a bit more about these partnerships and the difference they are making to not only Women and Girls in sport, but for inclusion and diversity across the board. 

Atlanta United: 

AFC and Atlanta United entered a strategic partnership in November 2019; the partnership is geared towards boosting football and commercial operations for both Clubs. 

Click here to find out more about the Atlanta United partnership.

Allstars United: 

On January 1st 2020, Allstars United SC became the first ever international youth partner club of AFC. The agreement is for an original two years, however both partners expect and hope the agreement will remain in place for many, many years to come! 

The Club currently consists of over 40 competitive Club teams playing in NorCal competition between the State Premier and Bronze levels, with a growth before results philosophy for all our teams and players. 

Click here to find out more about the Allstars SC partnership.

Grassroot Soccer: 

In early 2019, Aberdeen Football Club Community Trust (AFCCT) and Grassroot Soccer formed a partnership to design, deliver, and evaluate an innovative adolescent mental wellbeing programme. The result is MINDSET, a 12-session curriculum for adolescents in the last years of primary school and first years of secondary school. The school-based programme focuses on a positive approach to mental wellbeing, enhancing the strengths and skills of adolescents to cope with the stresses of life. MINDSET aims to break down the stigma around mental health by making it normal for adolescents to talk about mental wellbeing. 

Click here to find out more about the Grassroot Soccer partnership.  

The Club would like to extend a special thanks on this day to our Women’s Team Partners; long-standing team partners Boskalis and women’s team supporters GAC and Tendeka. Each of whom support our journey in championing the development and opportunties available of women’s football from grassroots to professional across the north-east of Scotland.