24. September 2026 – SCORING GIRLS*
WHEN SOCCER OPENS DOORS: SCORING GIRLS* IN GERMANY AND IRAQ
A soccer field can be a place where girls not only score goals, but also build confidence, make friends, take on responsibility, and discover new paths for themselves. This is what SCORING GIRLS* is about: soccer is the starting point, but what comes from it extends far beyond the field. In Germany and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, we were able to continue this work and reach many girls through regular training sessions, educational support, workshops, and shared experiences. This work was made possible in part through the continued support of BILD hilft e. V. “Ein Herz für Kinder.”
Soccer Training in Germany: Coming Together on the Field
The funding supported regular soccer training and pedagogical support. During the funding period, 320 girls took part in the program at our locations in Cologne and Berlin. A total of 175 soccer training sessions, free of cost, were held. The girls developed their technical and tactical skills while learning what it means to put fair play, reliability, and responsibility into practice as part of a team. Alongside their development on the field, strengthening the sense of community within the groups was a central part of the program. The regular training sessions were complemented by tournaments and other sporting events, including the Come Together Cup. SCORING GIRLS* took part in the tournament, which brings together queer and inclusive teams and promotes diversity and tolerance while standing against discrimination.
Beyond Soccer: Workshops, Excursions, and New Experiences
The girls also took part in learning activities and excursions that gave them the chance to develop new skills and gain experiences beyond their regular training sessions. For example, during a workshop on emotions, some of the SCORING GIRLS* in Cologne explored how to recognize and name their own feelings and better understand other people’s perspectives. In the leadership workshop, older participants reflected on their personal strengths, their voice and presence, and how to set their own boundaries. These are skills that are also important at school, in education, and later in working life.
Trying out new sports gave the girls the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones and grow as a group. At the participants’ request, a beach volleyball workshop was conducted in Berlin in summer 2026. The girls experienced new ways of working together while also learning that they can have an active role in shaping the SCORING GIRLS* program. At the high ropes course, trust and mutual support were key, while beach soccer brought the familiar game into a new setting.
Stadium visits gave the girls* a glimpse into the world of professional soccer. At the Women’s World Cup qualifying match between Germany and Norway, they got to see female role models in professional sports up close. As part of the launch of the “Jewish Kaleidoscope” project, the girls in Berlin also attended the Bundesliga match between Turbine Potsdam and VfL Wolfsburg. The visit was combined with an opportunity to learn about antisemitism, democracy, and civic engagement.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
10 Years of SCORING GIRLS: Celebrating with the Girls
The school holidays also offered opportunities to learn, play sports, and spend time together. And in 2026, there was another special reason to celebrate: SCORING GIRLS* turned ten. The anniversary was celebrated with the participants at this year’s summer camp. Around 60 girls from our German locations came together in Cologne for several days. Under the motto “Soccer Meets Values: Play Fair. Be Brave. Grow Together.” the camp combined soccer with interactive activities focused on values and empowerment, as well as encounters with role models. Girls from different cities and training groups got to know one another, spent several days together, and experienced SCORING GIRLS* beyond their own training locations. For many, it was also their first trip together outside their home city.
One participant describes her experience as follows: “SCORING GIRLS* has made me more confident and motivated me to hold on to my dreams.”
Support That Goes Beyond the Soccer Field
Ongoing pedagogical support made it possible to respond to the individual needs and circumstances of the girls. Regular contact helped build trusting relationships where personal concerns could be addressed, whether related to homework, career orientation, family challenges, or questions about residence status. The team also supported girls as they made the transition into organized soccer. Through the funding, ten participants in Germany received support in finding a soccer club. In this way, the support goes beyond the project’s own activities and helps girls take their next steps and access other opportunities and structures.
Soccer, Workshops, and Community in Iraq
At our three locations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the support from BILD hilft e. V. “Ein Herz für Kinder” also made a difference. A total of 284 soccer training sessions took place, with 132 girls participating. Alongside technical and tactical skills, the girls learned how to work together as a team, treat one another fairly, and take on responsibility. The training sessions gave them a chance to stay active, spend time together, and take a break from everyday life. Friendly matches gave them additional opportunities to put their skills into practice and connect with other groups.
The soccer training was complemented by workshops on topics including physical health, self-confidence, resilience, gender-based violence, mental health, and social participation. Meetings with role models from sports and the community also opened up new perspectives for the girls. One of these role models was professional volleyball player and dental student Doreen Romel Shamow. She shared her experiences in sports and spoke about dealing with social prejudices, showing how sporting interests and educational goals can go hand in hand. Excursions to museums and historical sites also gave the girls the opportunity to learn more about the history and cultural heritage of the region.
Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an
The participants at our locations in Iraq also received ongoing pedagogical support. This provided a safe environment where the girls could ask questions, raise personal concerns, and share their experiences with one another. Their families were involved from the very beginning as well. In eleven Family Awareness Sessions with more than 100 family members, topics such as equality, positive communication, personal boundaries, and how families can support their daughters in sports were discussed. The regular exchange created space to address questions and concerns, build trust, and strengthen acceptance of the girls’ participation. Many parents saw how the activities helped their daughters build confidence, become more independent, and develop social connections.
Over the past few months, the girls increasingly brought in their own ideas, took on responsibility, and grew together as a group. One participant summed up her experience: “My confidence has grown throughout the project. I made new friends and feel more comfortable interacting with others.”
The past year was shaped by many small and big moments, from new equipment, training sessions, and first tournament experiences to workshops, excursions, and summer camps. Together, these experiences helped create opportunities for girls to follow their own paths, discover new possibilities, and believe in their futures. The support from BILD hilft e. V. “Ein Herz für Kinder” reached far beyond the soccer field, and we are very grateful for this support.
