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GameChangers

GameChangers is a free soccer and leadership program for girls offered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto in association with FC Barcelona Foundation. The program is dedicated to developing leadership skills and self-confidence for girls ages 7–17, especially newcomers.

We recently concluded our first batch. Please share your details to join the waitlist for our next batch.

Program Overview

The program includes:

  • Weekly soccer training
  • Weekly leadership coaching
  • Free YMCA membership
  • Official program jersey provided by FC Barcelona Foundation


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About the Program

GameChangers is built on three core pillars:
pillar 1

1. Developing leadership and coaching skills:

Through weekly sports leadership sessions, we aim to cultivate young role models in athletics.

2. Expanding access to soccer:

2. Expanding access to soccer:

The program offers quality instruction, sports leadership sessions, and membership access to YMCA Health and Fitness facilities, providing all participants a chance to build their soccer skills.

3. Fostering belonging and social inclusion:

3. Fostering belonging and social inclusion:

We promote civic engagement through community service activities, helping girls build a sense of belonging and contribute to their communities.

GameChangers is open to girls ages 7–17 and is designed to support newcomer and equity-deserving households. The program is offered at YMCA Health & Fitness centres across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). It accommodates all levels of soccer experience.

Program Highlights

GameChangers promotes soccer and leadership through:

  • Age-based cohorts: Girls will be placed in groups based on age, experience and ability.
  • Soccer and leadership training sessions: Each cohort will attend two hours of weekly training that includes:
    • Soccer skills training: Girls will learn the basics of soccer, improve their current game, and change their playing techniques to improve performance.
      Note: The soccer training component is co-ed
    • Leadership coaching: The curriculum will help participants develop a youth leadership mindset, entrepreneurial spirit, financial awareness, and civic action.

We curated the program to provide optimum cohort sizes for personalized learning opportunities. The on-the-ground and classroom coaching sessions will be in person at the participant's preferred YMCA Health & Fitness centre.

Program Eligibility

GameChangers is open to girls ages 7–17.

Preference will be given to newcomers and equity-deserving households.

Program Locations

The program is delivered across multiple locations in the Greater Toronto Area at YMCA Health & Fitness centres below:

Unlock your child’s soccer and leadership potential!

We recently concluded our first batch. Please share your details to join the waitlist for our next batch.