January 30 – SIGA is has admitted 11 Portuguese female footballers as mentees into the SIGAWomen Global Mentorship Programme.
This collaboration follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September 2024 between SIGA and the Portuguese Players’ Union, with the aim of promoting and empowering female athletes through dedicated advocacy and collaboration.
Katie Simmonds, chair of SIGA Women, said: “The 6th cycle of the programme will be our best and biggest yet, with more global mentors and mentees joining from across the world as we achieve our goal of doubling the impact. Last year we connected 150 women from 32 countries. This year we are going for over 300!
“Working together, we can change cultures and create a legacy to make the pathway of those that come after us, easier. I believe that financial literacy is a key component of female empowerment and independence, and it was a pleasure to deliver our first taster session of our course to the talented female footballers in Portugal.”
The SIGAWomen mentorship programme is open women aged 21 or over and is designed to promote future leaders in sport and foster greater diversity within the sporting industry. The eight-month programme sees mentees paired with international female industry leaders. The programme’s curriculum includes a combination of group and bilateral digital sessions.
The 11 players selected to receive mentorship are (alphabetically):
- Carla Couto, Former Football Player; Women’s Football Ambassador, Player’s Union (SJPF)
- Dolores Silva, Professional Football Player, SC Braga
- Inês Maia, Professional Football Player, Besiktas
- Laura Luís, Professional Football Player, Albergaria
- Marta Ferreira, Professional Football Player, Racing Power
- Matilde Fidalgo, Former Football Player, Women’s Football Advisor, Player’s Union (SJPF)
- Mariana Jaleca, Professional Football Player, Rio Ave
- Micaela Matos, Former Football Player, Women’s Football Delegate, Player’s Union (SJPF)
- Paula Encinas (Pauleta), Professional Football Player, SL Benfica
- Rita Fontemanha, Professional Football Player, Sporting
- Tatiana Pinto, Professional Football Player, At. Madrid
Joaquim Evangelista, President of the Portuguese Players’ Union, said: “This program is, above all, an opportunity to contribute to the personal growth of the participants, enabling them to strengthen their contribution and leadership in football, both during and after their careers. Gender equality begins to be built through opportunities and differentiated experiences like this one.”
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