A Glance at Who We Are
Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) is a national non-profit organization (NGO) in Armenia. GOALS is rooted in the philosophy that sports can be used as a vehicle for transforming society and expanding the possibilities of our participants.
GOALS is the only sport organization in Armenia dedicated to developing and supporting soccer leagues and impact programs for young women in rural communities. Currently, we have established eight soccer leagues for girls with over 800 players. In March 2021 we launched a co-ed soccer league in Artsakh.
GOALS organizes seasonal soccer league training, games and tournaments, while also leading summer camps, after-school clubs, various social events and leadership initiatives.
We believe that every girl in Armenia deserves the chance to reach her full potential; an Armenia where every girl has a voice, courage, and the opportunity to choose what it means to be an Armenian woman.
“Sport is a powerful tool for education & empowerment. We believe that the first step taken by these girls onto the field can also be the first step toward achieving their larger dreams”
Planting the Seed
In December of 2014, former U.S. Ambassador John A. Heffern invited esteemed author and soccer coach, Andrea Montalbano to Yerevan to partake in a “Soccer Diplomacy” function sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. During the week-long event: "Girls Can Play", Montalbano led practices for the Armenian National Team, discussed the dynamics of women’s soccer in America, and emphasized the importance of female representation in sports.
Peace Corps Volunteer Zach Theiler was inspired by Ms. Montalbano and the enthusiastic response of the young Armenian women. In the months following, he coordinated with a network of passionate Armenian P.E. teachers and fellow Peace Corps Volunteers to launch the Girls of Armenia Leadership Soccer (GOALS) initiative. Their shared vision was to empower young women across Armenia by promoting health, life, and leadership skills through women’s soccer leagues.
In spring of 2016, GOALS launched its first soccer league in Syunik, with rural communities participating in weekly competitions held in Goris. With the support of Montalbano and her husband, the group started raising awareness of GOALS at an international level and among the Armenian diaspora.
Coaches Across Continents (CAC), a non-profit and global leader in sport for social impact, partnered with GOALS and visited Armenia to promote self-directed learning in remote regions of the country. As GOALS expanded its network of support, leagues were established in Shirak, Lori, and Tavush regions by fall of 2016. With great enthusiasm, local coaches and players were determined to change the future of women’s sport in Armenia.
Expanding
& Breaking Barriers
in Armenia
2019 was a year of great achievements for GOALS:
We officially partnered with the Football Federation of Armenia, establishing a unified effort in combating gender inequality.
The Kotayk region joined the GOALS program, creating an additional 4 soccer teams, and establishing the 8th region in Armenia to have a girls’ soccer league.
We received accreditation from Coaches Across Continents for Purposeful Play, also known as ‘Sport for Social Impact’.
Out of hundreds of finalists, GOALS is also a proud recipient of the ‘Sport for Gender Equality Award’ from Beyond Sport for our accordance with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Presently, GOALS has established soccer leagues for girls in 8 out of the 11 regions of Armenia: Armavir, Gegharkunik, Kotayk, Lori, Shirak, Syunik, Tavush, and Vayots Dzor. Managed by its head office in Yerevan, GOALS programs are led by regional coordinators representing each region.
Teams are mainly found in small communities where there are few resources to support the kind of extra-curricular activities that are so essential for youth development. Thanks to the kind support from donors, sponsors, staff and volunteers, we are able to continue to carry forward our vision and make an impact in the lives of youth and their communities.
According to the 2020 Global Gender Gap Report, Armenia is among the lowest ranked countries in terms of women in politics and leadership positions (11%). It is ranked 148/153 countries in health and survival, largely due to the prevalence of gender-selected abortion. Additionally, numerous studies have reported that three out of every ten women experience physical abuse and approximately 66% experience emotional abuse.
By challenging stereotypes of female representation in sports, GOALS empowers girls to become future leaders of change, while creating a shift in societal perception toward a more inclusive, strengthened, and safer Armenia for all.