Big names, bold mission: W7F to kick off women's soccer series with a social twist
LISBON, May 14 (Reuters) - World Sevens Football (W7F) isn't just rolling out a $5 million women's soccer tournament in Portugal next week — it's launching twin social drives, "Community Champions" and "Rising 7's", which, it says, are aimed at tackling gender gaps in football.
The Rising 7's initiative will directly target the well-documented phenomenon of girls abandoning sports during adolescence, organisers say. Nearly 100 under-13 players will participate in clinics at Estoril Praia Academy, receiving coaching from former stars including Tobin Heath, Laura Georges and Caroline Seger.
"Participation in sports is a powerful avenue for girls to build confidence," said Aly Wagner, W7F's Head of Strategy and former U.S. international.
Community Champions will provide $10,000 grants to three local non-profits - CAIS, Fundacao Benfica, and Girls for Girls Portugal - organisations working to increase girls' access to football and advance women in the sport.
The social programmes complement W7F's core offering - a fast-paced tournament featuring eight professional clubs competing for the largest prize pool in women's club football history. Following Portugal, the series will expand to North America later in 2025, organisers say.
Eight of Europe's biggest clubs — including Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam — will battle for the inaugural tournament from May 21-23.
Featuring lightning-fast 15-minute halves, a half-sized pitch and rolling subs, the women's seven-a-side showdown promises fireworks, with $2.5 million awaiting the winners. The format sees teams split into two groups before a final-day shootout.
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