Tenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

It is evident that participation in sport can help break gender stereotypes. The objective of this case report was to highlight women’s empowerment through soccer practice. The project was developed with students from 11 to 13 years of age from a public school of Guarulhos, Brazil. The project was carried out between August and September of 2018, during the activities of the group of sports trainings, with 25 boys and 15 girls, and during the games of the 48th Municipal School Olympics. In order to reach the objectives, five conversation circles were proposed for the discussions and reflections. The main themes of the conversation circles were: sport and quality of life; fair play; importance of girls’ participation; questions about women’s empowerment and protagonism; reflection of results. The boys did not believe in the girls’ potential to win the games and changed their minds after the victories. The girls were insecure because it was a little-frequented environment. The girl’s team had five victories and were consecrated winners of the competition. The competitive environment was also a learning environment. The feelings involved in victory were as important as the feelings of recognition. The participation of the boys was extremely important so that they also reflected on the importance of the girls in the championship. The feedback was always positive, satisfying and acknowledged that girls can also be recognized as protagonists in soccer.