From 18–20 January 2026, experts from across Europe gathered in Montijo, Portugal for the Meeting of the Experts, coordinated by FuteBola. The meeting focused on developing a methodology manual for young female athletes in coaching roles, based on the Empowered Female Coaches of Basketball training module.

Participants explored research methodologies such as focus groups and surveys, and jointly discussed key topics including motivation, communication, leadership, gender-based discrimination, and technical and tactical skills.

Partners also divided thematic areas and tasks, setting clear timelines to ensure balanced contribution and effective project implementation.

The project focuses on empowering women in team sports to confidently step into coaching roles. 💪✨

By connecting organizations across Europe, we strengthen skills, share knowledge, and tackle the barriers female coaches still face. ⚽🏀

🎯 Empowered Female Coaches of Team Sports is here to change the game for women in sports! 🏐⚽🏀

Led by Barcel’hona Sport Events 🇪🇸 in collaboration with KOM 018 🇷🇸 (Serbia), IWA Sport 🇮🇪 (Ireland), Futebola 🇵🇹 (Portugal), RSZZ – Handball Federation of Zagreb County 🇭🇷 (Croatia) and Educazione Benessere 🇮🇹 (Italy), this transnational project aims to break down barriers and build up female coaches in team sports across Europe.

💪 What project aims to do:

✅ Develop methodologies to fight sexist & discriminatory behavior

✅ Support active & former female athletes on their path to coaching

✅ Share best practices on women in coaching from 6 countries

✅ Raise awareness of the challenges and power of female coaches

📚 The project includes:

✨ Study visits, trainings, toolkits, and an EU-wide awareness campaign

🗓 Running from December 2025 to November 2027 in 🇪🇸🇷🇸🇮🇪🇵🇹🇭🇷🇮🇹

💙 Co-funded by the European Union

🚀 Because every team deserves the leadership of strong, skilled, empowered women.