A new initiative is redefining physical activity for girls in São Paulo, using football as a powerful tool for health, empowerment and equity.
Football for Better Health, launched by Cities for Better Health and Instituto Nossa Arena – Latin America’s first multi-sport facility dedicated to girls and women – is on a mission to create safe, inclusive spaces where girls can play, grow and thrive. This multi-year programme combines football training, mentorship and health education to break down barriers that limit girls’ participation in sports while fostering healthier lifestyles and stronger communities.
In São Paulo’s low-income neighbourhoods, many girls face limited access to safe spaces for sports. Football for Better Health is closing that gap, offering structured programmes that go beyond the game to promote confidence, leadership and lifelong wellbeing.
The initiative focuses on:
- Encouraging lifelong physical activity to support overall health
- Developing leadership skills and confidence through team sports
- Delivering health education on disease prevention and wellbeing
At the core of the initiative is community-driven impact. Partnering with seven community-based organisations, Football for Better Health equips local leaders to create sustainable, inclusive spaces where girls can flourish. With the organisations receiving financial and technical support in 2025, the initiative is combining football, mentorship and health education to foster empowerment, equity and stronger communities.
Football for Better Health is more than a sports programme – it’s a movement to challenge outdated norms and ensure that every girl has the chance to play, lead and thrive.
The programme’s implementing partner, Instituto Nossa Arena, was founded by Júlia Vergueiro, a Brazilian women´s sports advocates who experienced first-hand the challenges of finding safe and inclusive spaces to play. Today, Instituto Nossa Arena provides an environment where girls, women and transgender people can participate in football without fear of judgment or exclusion.
By embedding a culture of physical activity from an early age, Football for Better Health is helping to reduce long-term health risks and promote equity in sport. The programme is set to run through 2027, aligning with the next Women’s World Cup, which will be hosted in Brazil.
