December 10 – UEFA’s Playmakers programme made its way to Montenegro for a unique football festival last week, as the institution looked to inspire the next generation of football lovers with a female-focussed event.
More than 200 girls took part at the festival, which combined Disney characters with football in an effort to get young girls from the region involved in the sport.
This marked the next step in UEFA’s programme, designed to ‘empower’ young girls aged 5-8 to take up football through play and storytelling, featuring recognisable Disney characters to get them on board and break down barriers.
The festival in Montenegro was more than just fun and games, it also served as a platform for meaningful dialogue. Preceding the event, a conference brought together football professionals to discuss the future of women’s football in Montenegro and explore ways to encourage more young girls to participate.
A panel discussion titled ‘Women’s Football in Montenegro: A Review of the Past 12 Years and Steps to the Future’, included insights from former national team players and coaches, alongside experts in women’s football development from UEFA, the DFB, the Montenegro FA, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina FA (NSBiH).
The panel shared best practices and set future objectives, aiming to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of female amateur players and aspiring football stars.
The event comes after a grassroots breakthrough for the nation back in October, which established a new four-year grassroots football strategy in Montenegro, supported by funding and expertise from UEFA, giving boys and girls new opportunities for a future in the game by organising its first football festival for local children aged eight to 14.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734897107labto1734897107ofdlr1734897107owedi1734897107sni@g1734897107niwe.1734897107yrrah1734897107