On Saturday 11^th March, Mitre supported Girls United FA, an organisation set on improving resource and opportunity for girls and women to play football worldwide, as part of their sixth International Women’s Day tournament.  

Held at Shoreditch Power League in London, 30 teams and over 200 players entered the venue on what was a day of empowerment, celebration, and togetherness. The key message from Girls United was ‘Make Space’, centred around creating more safe spaces and giving girls the confidence to play, and what a day it was.

The event smashed Girls United’s fundraising target with over £6,000 raised to support the non-profit organisation. 

From research conducted from Women in Sport Org says, 48% females said they don’t feel safe to play football in the local park. Over 70% said they don’t play at small-sided venues due to the lack of changing facilities.  
 
Girls United envisions a world where girls and women globally can reach their potential, using the power of football. The tournament was officially opened by Girls United CEO Romina Calatayud who provided an emotive and empowering speech.

 
“The power of Girls United is the community that it brings together. A community of players, coaches, staff and also fans and people who believe in the power of football to promote gender equality.”

“We’ve been running for six years and in that time its been an amazing journey of getting more girls playing, creating more safe spaces so they can have the environments to fulfil their potential, on and off the pitch.”

“Power League has been an amazing partner for us. One of the big challenges females are facing in grassroots football is the access to such great spaces so that girls and women can play.

With the support of Power League, and joining forces with them, has meant that we’ve been able to put on days like this where you’ve got 30 teams playing and having a great time in an amazing space and them having access to facilities that they deserve in order to thrive and engage in football.”

All participants were powered by the new Ultimax One ball which made it’s on pitch debut since it’s launch earlier this year. Mitre supported the event up by providing balls, equipment, and sponsorship of a tournament pitch at the Power League site, along side Versus, Common Goal and more.

The new Ultimax ball is built for ultimate Power, Control and long lasting performance which reflect the journey girls and women have been on, overcoming obstacles and prejudice towards opportunity and celebration of how far the game has evolved.