March 2022: In celebration of International Women's Day (IWD), Girls Got This, together with FundLife International Tacloban Team, gathered 59 female futsal players from Leyte and Samar to kick off the Girls Community League (GCL) relaunch. After 2 years, girls aged 18 and below can now enjoy access to friends, mentors, and a safe space to run and play. The Girls Community League also aims to provide a platform where girls can be seen and can freely express themselves through sports.
The relaunch was graced by Mr. Crisvill M. Villamor, DepEd Tacloban City Division Sports Coordinator who delivered the welcome message: "This initiative of FundLife is truly remarkable as amidst the pandemic they continued to provide a platform for learning and development for children. And today as we celebrate International Women's Day we are thankful that FundLife initiated this event. Truly this event will not only help empower young women. This will also help us to strengthen the competitiveness of the Female Futsal teams of our schools."
Other guests during the event include Mr. Rufino Almaden, Tanauan School of Craftsmanship and Home Industries Sports (TSCHI) Coordinator and Football Coach, Mr. Raymund Romualdez, son of Hon. Alfred Romualdez, Tacloban City Mayor, and Mr. Raul Salano, DepEd Leyte Division Education Program Supervisor.
Coach Almaden delivered a Testimonial speech and shared about how FundLife partnered with TSCHI through the Football for Life Academy (FFLA) program since 2018 and how that partnership helped improve the academic performance of academically challenged students. He also shared how the program increased the competitiveness of their boys’ and girls’ Futsal teams in the regional school-based competition.
After the ceremonial kick, a total of 9 GCL futsal matches commenced. The girls' teams were cheered on by their teammates, parents, schoolmates, and coaches. Individual and team awards were given. These awards serve as a way to motivate girls to continue playing with their hearts and showing great attitudes inside and outside the playing field.
In our ongoing commitment to support all girls to stay safe, educated, and have access to equal opportunity, we #standwithgirls in the Philippines and all over the world.