Life skills + Soccer for 350 boys in Brazil

At ACER Brasil, sport is much more than physical activity—it is a pathway to belonging, growth, and opportunity. At the heart of this work is futsal coach Gustavo Hannay, whose journey from volunteer to lead coach reflects both personal dedication and ACER’s commitment to developing young people and future leaders from within the community.

Gustavo has been coaching at ACER Brasil for three and a half years. His involvement began as a volunteer and youth monitor, supporting sessions alongside coach Orlando. Through his commitment and passion, he progressed to become a contracted lead coach, taking responsibility for multiple training groups and mentoring younger participants.

To prepare for this role, Gustavo undertook formal training, including sports coaching qualifications, FA Level 1 coaching certification, and safeguarding training. These qualifications reflect ACER’s emphasis on safe, structured, and professional sports education. Today, Gustavo coaches children aged 7 to 14 across eight weekly classes, including both boys’ and girls’ sessions held at community courts and local schools such as Celia Pfeifer and José Martins Rodrigues.

Gustavo’s passion for coaching began in his own childhood. While he once dreamed of becoming a footballer, he also aspired to help other children develop through sport. That dream is now a reality. He explains that children attend the futsal sessions for many reasons. Some dream of becoming professional players. Others come to make friends, build confidence, or simply spend their time in a safe and positive environment. For many, the sessions offer a vital alternative to spending time on the streets, providing structure, purpose, and joy.

Working with children brings both rewards and challenges. Gustavo describes how each child arrives with different emotions and experiences. “Some days children are very happy, and some days they are unhappy because of situations at home or school,” he explains. Supporting them requires patience, emotional awareness, and consistency. There are also practical challenges, including heavy rains that flood uncovered courts and the need to clean facilities to ensure safe playing conditions.

Despite these difficulties, Gustavo’s motivation remains strong. “Seeing the smile on the children’s faces every time I arrive at the court makes me happy and motivates me,” he says. “Even if they have had a difficult day, they are always smiling and ready to play.”

Beyond coaching techniques, Gustavo provides emotional support and guidance. He sees his role not only as a coach, but also as a mentor and trusted adult. “We are always there to help them, not just with football, but with life,” he explains. “We give advice and encourage them to continue, even when they face difficulties.”

ACER Brasil also ensures that children receive basic nutritional support during training. Bananas are provided at every session, which Gustavo notes is essential. Some children arrive hungry, and the snack helps support their health, energy, and well-being. The children value this care deeply and often look forward to it as part of their training experience.

Gustavo also works alongside youth monitors—teenagers from the programme who are developing leadership skills by assisting with coaching. Supporting these young people is a responsibility he takes seriously. By mentoring them, he helps create pathways for future coaches and community leaders. “Helping them learn and grow makes me happy,” he says. “Maybe in the future they will become coaches as well.”

As someone who lives in the same community as the children, Gustavo understands the importance of being a positive role model. Many children in the programme grow up in households led primarily by mothers and grandmothers, and male role models can play an important complementary role in their development. Gustavo recognises that children look up to him, not only in sport, but in everyday life. “I have to stay composed in every way, because they see me and learn from my example,” he explains.

For Gustavo, futsal is about far more than sport. It is about helping children build confidence, resilience, and hope for the future. “Football is not just kicking a ball,” he says. “It is about life.”

Through his dedication, Gustavo Hannay exemplifies ACER Brasil’s mission: to support children and young people in Eldorado, Diadema, through opportunities that strengthen their development, well-being, and sense of belonging.

At ACER Brasil, futsal is far more than just a sport — it’s a pathway to growth, friendship, and transformation. On the court, boys from the Hércilia and Átila units are not only learning how to dribble and score goals; they are developing life skills that will shape their futures.

A Space for Belonging and Growth

For many of these boys, ACER’s futsal programme provides a safe and structured environment — a place where they feel seen, supported, and capable. Every session is built on values such as discipline, teamwork, respect, and perseverance. The training sessions, led by committed teachers and coordinators, encourage not only athletic improvement but also emotional and social development.

João, from the Hércilia unit, describes how the support of his coaches has helped him evolve:

“My relationship with the teachers is very good — they are always willing to help. The environment is positive; everyone supports each other, and the teachers are always attentive, correcting and guiding us.”

His words capture what many participants feel: that ACER is not just a sports centre, but a community that believes in them.

From Shyness to Confidence

For some boys, joining the futsal team marks the first step in overcoming personal challenges. Derrick, a recent addition to the programme, recalls his early days:

“When I arrived about a month ago, I was shy and nervous. But I managed to overcome that. The teachers always calmed me down, guided me, and helped me improve.”

This story of transformation is repeated across the teams. Through encouragement, trust, and structure, the project helps boys like Luís build confidence — both on and off the court.

Learning Through Competition

Competitions are another key element of the futsal journey. They bring excitement and healthy challenge while reinforcing teamwork and resilience. For Luan, also from Hércilia, the tournaments are moments of pride and growth:

“It’s great to play here. I have a very good relationship with the teachers — they are very attentive and help me a lot. Taking part in tournaments is always a great experience.”

Even when victories don’t come, the lessons learned — cooperation, persistence, and fair play — remain invaluable.

New Experiences, New Horizons

At the Átila unit, the positive ripple effect is clear. Vitor speaks about how the programme has improved his daily life:

“Training here at ACER is really good — I highly recommend it. The teachers are amazing, always encouraging us. The tournaments are great and always bring good experiences.”

For José, also from Átila, futsal has become a turning point:

“Playing at ACER is something I really enjoy — it’s what took me away from my phone and gave me new experiences. The last tournament was great; I was the top scorer and loved it. My team won one match and lost another, but the most important thing was what we learned.”

Building Character, Inspiring Futures

Each testimony reveals how ACER Brasil’s futsal project helps shape boys into responsible, confident, and compassionate young men. The sport becomes a bridge — connecting discipline with joy, teamwork with friendship, and effort with personal achievement.

Behind every practice and every game are dedicated educators who model empathy, respect, and commitment. Their mentorship ensures that futsal at ACER goes beyond physical training — it becomes a life lesson in resilience, community, and hope.

A Mission in Motion

Through initiatives like the boys’ futsal project, ACER Brasil continues to live its mission: transforming lives through education, coexistence, and sport. The boys who step onto the court each week are not just learning how to play — they are learning how to dream, lead, and believe in themselves.

In the words of one of the coaches: “We don’t just train players. We nurture citizens — young people who understand that winning is not only about goals, but about the person they become.”

In order to protect the privacy of the boys, we have changed their names for this report.