Girls soccer in Brazil, changing gender norms

Florestan Fernandes Elementary School has entered into partnership with ACER with grils futsal classes  which are not just about teaching ball skills but about building confidence, nurturing friendships, and challenging gender stereotypes from an early age. (In order to protect the girls’ privacy, we have changed their names).

The new classes have already sparked enthusiasm among students, with many expressing how much the sport has changed their daily routines and outlook.

“I really like futsal, and it helped me get off my phone,” shared Janaina, 10, who now looks forward to the camaraderie on the court. “It’s not just boys who can play ball. I didn’t listen to the comments—I just showed them I’m good at it.”

Vanda, also 10, echoed the sentiment: “I love playing ball, running, laughing, making jokes with my friends. And when we score a goal, it’s the best feeling! I think girls can play just like boys—we’re here to have fun and move!”

These stories aren’t just heart-warming—they’re powerful testaments to the value of providing safe and welcoming spaces for girls in sports. For many of them, this is their first structured opportunity to play a team sport, especially one often seen as “for boys.”

Thaissa, 9, dreams of becoming a professional player: “Some boys say girls can’t play and should just play with dolls, but I don’t care. I want to win trophies.”

Meanwhile, Charlene, 9, credits her father with introducing her to the game and is now determined to be the best she can be. “I want to learn everything, score lots of goals, and beat the boy who always tries to win against me!”

The positive atmosphere on the court is just as important as the drills. “We play, laugh, and have so much fun,” said Thaissa. “Even when we’re playing hard, it still feels like playtime!”

Guiding the girls through this journey is Coach Soloel, 59, who brings both technical knowledge and emotional intelligence to the role. He acknowledges that while some girls initially struggle with ball control and specific movements due to limited early exposure to ball games, the progress is rewarding.

“With time, like in any learning process, each girl develops at her own pace,” he said. “This isn’t a formal futsal school, but a playful space for learning through games. The important thing is that they start to understand the principles and dynamics of futsal in a fun, spontaneous way.” 

Coach Soloel is also candid about the broader challenges: “Compared to field football, futsal is still underappreciated in Brazil—especially for girls. It lacks visibility and support. But I believe in its potential. With time, I hope futsal will gain the same recognition.”

The students’ advice to other girls is simple and inspiring.

“Futsal is the best thing a girl or boy can learn,” said Thaissa.

“I’d teach them, show them how to play,” added Vanda. “They’d love it too—because it’s just so much fun!”

The launch of these futsal classes is more than just the start of a new extracurricular activity at Florestan Fernandes. It marks a cultural shift—one that celebrates talent, breaks stereotypes, and helps every child dream a little bigger.