In the past 2 years, grassroots football in schools in Quang Tri province has developed quite strongly, attracting a large number of teachers and students to participate. The grassroots football club model in schools has become a regular, healthy playground, providing many opportunities for physical training and comprehensive education for students. This movement also contributes to developing the expertise and capacity to organize and manage community football activities for teachers; improving the quality of physical education and sports in schools...

The project "Developing a model of non-competitive grassroots football clubs in schools in Quang Tri province" has equipped female teachers with knowledge about community football - Photo: DA

Spread positive values

The project “Developing a model of non-competitive grassroots football clubs in schools in Quang Tri province” is sponsored by the Norwegian Football Federation. The Department of Education and Training (DOET) of Quang Tri is the project owner.

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Education and Training of Quang Tri, Mai Huy Phuong, the project aims to develop an equal, non-competitive playing field and use football as a tool to integrate life skills education for children, especially the life skills education program for girls (referred to as the goal program).

Through the establishment and development of football clubs in schools; developing and consolidating organizational structures at all levels to support the development of grassroots football; developing expertise and techniques with a focus on developing grassroots football. The project contributes to the effective implementation of physical education and sports in schools, developing the football training movement and the sports movement in Quang Tri.

"Fun Football Festival" creates a useful playground, helping female students have many unforgettable experiences - Photo: DA

From 2022 to present, the project has established 15 grassroots football clubs in schools in Dong Ha city, Hai Lang and Cam Lo districts; organized 5 training courses for 150 teachers, with contents related to grassroots football coaches, life skills instructors...

The project has created a useful playground, improved physical fitness, and educated personality for students; equipped teachers with football knowledge; increased female participation in sports activities, enhanced women's leadership role in football, and promoted social values ​​such as gender equality and safe spaces for girls.

Teacher Hoang Thi Bich Ngan, Ham Nghi Primary School, Dong Ha City said: “I joined the project in 2023, equipped with knowledge about community football, communication skills, financial management and skills related to gender balance in sports...

I feel very happy to pass on my knowledge and experience to other teachers with the aim of developing football in schools; at the same time, contributing to the development of Ham Nghi Primary School Football Club, with 45 male and female students participating.

Ensure that the club is a place where girls feel safe and comfortable when participating, thereby encouraging girls to develop their football skills, practice and develop themselves, connect with each other to form a united, winning collective.

Replicating the football club model to 20 schools

Dao Thi Khanh Huyen, a 7th grader at Ward 4 Primary and Secondary School, Dong Ha City, shared: “Many people think that girls should only participate in gentle sports, not suitable for competitive matches like football. However, I still regularly practice alone or look for some girls with similar interests to play with. When Ward 4 Primary and Secondary School organized the “Fun Football Festival” in 2023, for all students who love football, regardless of gender, I and my female friends were divided into teams and competed with each other with enthusiastic cheers from everyone. That was the first time I felt comfortable playing football without having to worry about criticism. We passed the ball, coordinated and even scored goals with confidence, not inferior to the boys.”

The establishment of football clubs in schools and the organization of many exciting activities such as fun football festivals, life skills development games... have helped female students have many wonderful and unforgettable experiences.

Duong Phuc Quynh Chau, a 7B student at Phan Dinh Phung Secondary School, said: “Before participating in football activities at school, I was a bit hesitant and worried because I was afraid I wouldn’t do well. However, I had a different perspective on football when I participated in this activity at school.

The cheers from my friends and the moments of scoring goals brought me unforgettable excitement. We worked hard together, shared the feelings of scoring goals and even when we conceded goals. The smiles and hugs of encouragement after each match made me feel more clearly the value of friendship and the connection with my teammates."

Teacher Nguyen Thi Tham, Phan Dinh Phung Secondary School, Dong Ha City, said: “I play many sports well and always encourage and support girls to play sports. In 2022, I joined the project with excitement and the desire to spread my passion, impart knowledge and skills to everyone, especially girls.

On October 7, 2024, I and teachers Vo Thi Luan and Hoang Thi Bich Ngan from 3/15 football clubs in the province, with support from the Department of Education and Training of Quang Tri organized a training course for community football coaches for 30 teachers from 15 football clubs in the province. We feel very happy to directly convey and spread the good things from the project to teachers, thereby developing football in schools together."

At Phan Dinh Phung Secondary School, Ms. Tham and 4 teachers in the school have made many efforts to establish and maintain the club's activities from November 2022 until now with 120 participating students, including 60 female students.

Ms. Tham has imparted knowledge to members of the football club on topics such as: self-awareness, healthy living, empowerment, saving; organizing goal events; inspiring girls to participate in football... Through that, many students have benefited from the project, contributing to cultivating and practicing life skills, relieving pressure after stressful study hours.

Ms. Phan Thi Thu Huong, Head of Program and Life Skills of the Community Football Project in Vietnam, said that in November 2024, the Norwegian Football Federation and the Department of Education and Training of Quang Tri continued to expand the football club model to 20 schools in the districts of Trieu Phong, Huong Hoa, Dakrong, Gio Linh, and Quang Tri town; organized training for football coaches and life skills instructors for 80 teachers. Accordingly, teachers will receive professional support and spread the value of football to the community, especially the participation of female students in football.

Through life skills activities, students will be introduced to ball games that incorporate life skills topics such as communication, reproductive health care, empowerment, financial management skills, and climate change. Football clubs are supported with football equipment to organize regular activities at the club.

By the end of the project in 2024, the goal of establishing and developing 35 grassroots football clubs in schools with about 2,800 male and female students (50% female) participating will be achieved; creating many non-competitive grassroots football playgrounds for students; attracting 1,400 female students to regularly participate in life skills education programs for girls; organizing 38 fun football festivals at the club level attracting the participation of more than 7,397 students (50% female students)...

“The Norwegian Football Federation continues to work with partners so that schools can proactively arrange human and material resources to maintain football club activities, bringing many practical and meaningful playgrounds to Quang Tri students,” Ms. Huong affirmed.

Hoai Diem Chi