Transform a Girl's Life Through Soccer

 In May, Ladies’ Turn continued its program with 5 middle schools in Kaolack with the support of Plan International. Last year, Ladies’ Turn brought girls’ soccer to these middle schools in Kaolack for the first time. In April, Ladies’ Turn worked again with physical education (PE) teachers at the schools to organize girls’ teams and start playing. Ladies’ Turn also includes 5 boys from each school so that boys learn to play with girls and accept and will support girls’ soccer throughout their lives. In total, 100 girls and 25 boys kicked the ball around at three intensive foundational skills practice days and then played matches in four mini tournament days.

For most girls, it is the first time they have ever played soccer. At the end of the program, Ladies’ Turn gave each player a uniform and socks so they could continue playing over summer break and beyond.  For most PE teachers, it’s the first time they have ever coached girls. Ladies’ Turn thoroughly trained the teachers last year in how to coach beginner players. This year, they reviewed basic coaching skills.

In 2022, Ladies’ Turn with Plan International organized the first edition of the program in 34 middle schools in Thies, a city one hour from Dakar and about three hours from Kaolack. Ladies’ Turn walso orked closely with PE teachers there to train them as coaches. Since 2022, with Plan International’s continued funding, the PE teachers there have been able to continue the program on their own.

Since the middle school program now exists in both Thies and Kaolack, on June 22, Ladies’ Turn decided to bring 5 girls and 5 boys, one from each school, to Thies to meet other girl soccer players at middle schools. The players from Kaolack stayed the night in Thies and participated in an exchange and a leadership activity with the Thies players.

 It’s exciting to see work we invest in continue and expand to new cities. Thank you for your support! We could not have done it without you!

Nio Far, In Solidarity, 

Jennifer and the Ladies' Turn Team

The Ladies’ Turn team is excited to get back to organizing soccer games after taking a break from Jaunary to March, including for the holy month of Ramadan. This month, Ladies’ Turn began planning the next round of soccer practices and tournaments with 5 middle schools in Kaolack. Last August through December, we started a program to bring girls’ soccer for the first time to middle schools in Kaolack. The girls and teachers loved it so we’ll start again in May and June.

It’s been a busy month as well for national women’s soccer team in Senegal. On April 5 and 8, Senegal and Ghana played friendly matches. Ghana won the first match 1-0 and Senegal matched them with a 1-0 victory in the second game. Senegal also has qualified for the African Cup of Nations that will take place in Morocco from Juny 2-25, 2025. We’re excited to cheer on the Lionesses on!

We’ll look forward to telling you about soccer in Kaolack and soccer in Morocco later this summer! Thank you again for all of your support. We could not do this without you.

Nio far, in solidarity,

Jennifer and the Ladies’ Turn Team