Life skills + Soccer for 350 boys in Brazil

At just 15 years old, Enzo is already discovering the power of sport not only as a passion, but as a path for personal growth and leadership. As a sports monitor at ACER Brasil, he has been building experience, confidence and a strong sense of purpose while supporting children and adolescents through futsal.

Being a young monitor brings both surprises and opportunities. Enzo says that many people assume he is older and are surprised when they discover his age. For him, however, starting early is an advantage. It allows him to gain valuable experience in an area he hopes to continue pursuing in the future.

“I have a very strong connection with sport,” Enzo explains. “It is something I want to take forward in my life and pursue in the future. I think I started early, and that gives me important experience.”

Alongside the excitement of working in sport, Enzo also recognises the challenges. One of the most important lessons he has learned is how to communicate with children in the best possible way. Through his role at ACER, he has developed not only practical skills, but also greater self-confidence.

“My biggest challenge within ACER was overcoming my shyness,” he says. “I have always been very shy, so it was difficult to get past that, but here I have gradually been learning and developing.”

For Enzo, the children themselves are the greatest source of motivation. Their energy, enthusiasm and affection make every day meaningful. He describes the joy of seeing children run towards him, full of excitement, eager to share their goals and celebrate their achievements.

“Anyone who is a teacher knows what it is like to see several children running up and saying: ‘Teacher, today I’m going to score three goals and celebrate with you.’ Their energy is really good, and it is something that makes you happy even on a sad day.”

Enzo says he feels especially valued when he sees a child smile after managing to dribble past someone or achieve something they had been trying to do. These small moments of progress and happiness are what make his work so rewarding.

He also has a clear message for other young people who dream of working in sport: “It is a really good area and I recommend it. This is my dream and I am going to work hard to achieve it. For anyone who wants to be a futsal teacher, like me, you can be sure that you will never regret it.”

André’s story shows how ACER Brasil’s young monitors play an important role in strengthening youth leadership. Through sport, they develop confidence, communication skills, responsibility and meaningful bonds with the children and adolescents supported by the organisation. At the same time, they become positive role models, showing that leadership can begin at any age.

*We have changed Enzo's name to guarantee his privacy aas he is under 18.

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.