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MORE THAN JUST A GAME
Soccer is the most popular and accessible sport across the globe. With the largest generation of adolescents coming of age, we are using the power of soccer to engage young people around their most pressing, but often taboo, health challenges during a critical time of their development.
The Adolescent Health Challenge
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Sub-Saharan Africa has more adolescents than anywhere in the world, and they face 4x the risk of death as their peers in high-income countries
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Globally, 1 in 4 adolescents are experiencing anxiety and/or depression — with young people in Africa at an even higher risk
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In sub-Saharan Africa, HIV is still a leading cause of death for adolescents
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Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the world, which is a leading cause of death and disability for adolescent girls
We use soccer games and metaphors to teach young people life-saving health information
Our programs are designed with adolescents in mind. We recruit and train young, local leaders as “Coaches” to teach our activity-based SKILLZ programs and serve as trusted mentors. Our Coaches make learning about tough health topics fun, so young people are truly engaged, they want to participate, and lessons stick.
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SKILLZ for Mental Health
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SKILLZ for HIV and Sexual & Reproductive Health
Tackling the Most Pressing Challenges in Adolescent Health
Our programs equip young people with the tools to tackle the most critical and interrelated health challenges facing them today including mental health, HIV/AIDS, gender-based violence, and issues around sexual and reproductive health such as teen pregnancy.
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We work with partners to reach millions of young people
We work with a robust network of partners around the world including community-based organizations, international NGOs, and national and local governments. Together with our partners, we adapt SKILLZ programs to local contexts to ensure our impact is deep and sustainable. This approach also allows us to broaden our impact and reach many more adolescents than we ever could on our own.
Learn more about our approach to partnerships and where we work
We believe that soccer can change the world
Tackling global issues from poverty to climate change will require a generation of young people who are strong, healthy, and empowered. Through data and research, we know our soccer-based approach is improving the health of millions of young people – building their assets (health knowledge and the confidence to use it), improving their access to high-quality health services, and increasing their adherence to crucial treatments and healthy behaviors.
23,000 Coaches Trained
25 million Adolescents reached
Be A Game-Changer for Young People
Endorsed by global health leaders and adopted by national governments, the Grassroot Soccer model is saving lives while changing how the world engages, teaches, and empowers young people around their health.