Empowering Young Women through Sport — Delhi Dreams

A grassroots football initiative with Aston Villa and CEQUIN, using the game to improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged young women in Delhi.

Empowering Young Women through Sport — Delhi Dreams used grassroots football to improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged young women in Delhi, giving them a space to play, build confidence and connect with one another.

The initiative was implemented with Aston Villa’s community programme and the Centre for Equity and Inclusion (CEQUIN), and used football as the primary means of engagement. The game was the entry point; the wider goal was the wellbeing and empowerment of the young women taking part. Working with a professional club and a local organisation brought together sporting expertise and knowledge of the communities involved.

It opened with the Delhi Dreams tournament, held over four days in December 2014 and bringing together more than 100 participants from opposite ends of the socio-economic spectrum. Two girls were selected to train at the Aston Villa Girls’ Development Centre, and a nine-month clinic followed in the Jamia area — turning a single event into sustained engagement.

Photo: Participants at the Delhi Dreams event.

PROJECT FACTS