GameChangers!
GameChangers is a free soccer and leadership program for girls offered by the YMCA of Greater Toronto in association with FC Barcelona Foundation and Scotiabank. The program is dedicated to developing leadership skills and self-confidence for girls ages 7–17, especially newcomers.
Program Overview
The program provides:
- Live on-ground soccer training
- Classroom-led leadership coaching
- Free membership to a YMCA Health & Fitness centre
- GameChangers program jersey
GameChangers is built on three core pillars:
- Developing leadership and coaching skills: Through targeted sports leadership sessions, we aim to cultivate young role models in soccer, inspiring participants to excel and thrive.
- Expanding access to soccer: We offer comprehensive soccer instruction, sports leadership sessions, and membership access to YMCA Health and Fitness facilities, ensuring all girls have the opportunity to engage with the sport.
- 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.
Girls passionate about playing soccer and developing their leadership skills will participate in age-based exercises in a well-thought-out and practical curriculum. The program supports newcomers and equity-deserving households and is offered across multiple locations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) at YMCA Health & Fitness centres in Durham, Peel, and York regions and Toronto. It accommodates all levels of soccer experience.
Program Highlights
GameChangers promotes soccer and leadership through:
- Age-based cohorts: Girls will be assessed and grouped by age, ability, and requirements and placed in the most appropriate learning group.
- Soccer and leadership training sessions: Each cohort will attend two sessions of one hour each, a total of two hours of training delivered one day every week
- Live on-ground soccer training: Girls will learn the basics of soccer, improve their current game, and change their playing techniques to improve performance.
- Classroom 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-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 the below YMCA Health & Fitness centres in Durham, Peel, Toronto and York regions.
Unlock your child’s soccer and leadership potential!
The program has limited spots available - apply today!
