The women were selected to receive grants based on the strategic action plans they created to use sports to address gender, socio-economic, and class inequalities among underserved girls and young women in their home communities. These plans were created in concert with their program mentors – leading U.S. female executives who worked side-by-side with the participants, sharing valuable business insights, and strategic guidance.
“We are thrilled to see the multiplier effect at work through the power of the Global Sports Mentoring Program. Women from around the world are using the experience they gained during their mentorship to truly make an impact in their home countries,” said Laura Gentile, vice president, espnW. “Empowerment through sports is at the very heart of espnW’s mission, and these five honorees perfectly demonstrate such empowerment.”
The honorees are:
Luz Amuchastegui (Argentina), “Mentoring Program Development & Execution”
- The program: Amuchastegui paired with Joan Coraggio and Gwen Conley of Saatchi & Saatchi and developed a mentoring program for at-risk youth participating in the after-school field hockey classes at El Desafio Foundation in Rosario, Argentina.
Hayam Essam (Egypt), “Girl Power Basketball Program”
- The program: Essam, mentored by Sandy Cross and Christine Garrity, executives at the PGA of America, established a basketball program that teaches girls in Cairo life skills through after-school basketball sessions and youth development activities held in a safe setting.
Majidah Nantanda (Uganda), “Train the Trainers to Grow the Game for Girls”
- The program: Nantanda, paired with Alicia McConnell, U.S. Olympic Committee, is leading a series of grassroots soccer clinics and community coaching seminars, using techniques such as “train the trainer” courses and health education activities.
Zola Ndlovu (South Africa), “Love Sport; Live Life Program”
- The program: Ndlovu was mentored by Norma Delaney of New Balance, and created a weekly multi-sport program to build confidence and discipline among girls with the greatest needs in Durban, South Africa. The activities help instill self-esteem in the participants through education and mentorship.
Yu-Hsien Tseng “Blue” (Taiwan), “Embracing the Change, Empowering the Future: PE Teachers in Action”
- The program: Tseng was mentored by NCAA professionals Delise O’Meally and Karen Morrison, and established bi-monthly workshops that equip physical education teachers in Taipei with the knowledge and resources needed to promote gender equality and ensure a supportive setting for LGBT students.
The U.S. Department of State and espnW Global Sports Mentoring Program, conducted in partnership with the University of Tennessee’s Center for Sport, Peace, and Society and now in its third year, was created in 2012 to support the United States’ global commitment to advance the rights and participation of women and girls around the world, using sports as the vehicle that creates greater opportunity. It pairs emerging women leaders (age 25-40) from around the world with top U.S. female executives in the sports industry for a month-long mentorship to build business and leadership skills. The 2014 Global Sports Mentoring Program commences this September when espnW and the State Department pair 20 emerging international leaders with American female executives.
About espnW
espnW’s mission is to serve women as fans and athletes. espnW.com provides an engaging environment that offers total access to female athletes and the sports they play, takes fans inside the biggest events, and shares a unique point of view on the sports stories that matter most to women. Founded in July, 2010, espnW lives across television, films, events, digital and social platforms. The annual espnW: Women + Sports Summit is the leading event of its kind in the sports industry.
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