Girls United Football Association

What Girls United Football Association does

Girls United Football Association is a UK-registered nonprofit social enterprise founded in 2017 by Romina Calatayud that operates grassroots football clubs and empowerment programmes for girls and young women aged 5-17 (and adults via partner sessions) across South London and multiple cities in Mexico. Its core products are the London Club (weekly sessions, competitive teams U9-U17, holiday camps, priced at £1 per session for 15-17 year olds), Mexico Club / Chicas Unidas (free sessions in Bacalar, Chetumal, and Mexico City), the London International Camp (a 10-day residential elite development programme for international participants aged 15-17), and the annual International Women's Day tournament in London. Supporting programmes include Juega Como Niña (Laureus + Nike Mexico), FIFA Foundation Community Programme in Meyehualco, Trailblazer (Fulham FC Foundation), Love The Game x Nike workshops, and Footy Addicts adult recreational sessions.

The organization generates revenue through a hybrid nonprofit model combining donations and community fundraising (e.g., #PeckhamToBrisbane raised over £10,262; IWD 2024 raised £10,000), corporate sponsorships and grants (Nike, FIFA Foundation, Laureus Sports for Good, Sony Sports Businesses via Hawk-Eye/Pulselive/Beyond Sports, Powerleague, Common Goal, London Sport), international camp fees (85% of which cover participant costs, 15% reinvested in community programmes), and tournament registration. There is no technology platform underpinning the offering; delivery is physical, community-based coaching with safeguarding compliance to FA/London FA policies. Global ambassadors include Caroline Weir (Real Madrid), Mónica Rodríguez (Club América), Vero Boquete, and London-based Danielle Carter (London City Lionesses). As of January 2024, Girls United had grown to 4,500+ players across 32 locations with 150+ trained coaches and 6,000+ hours of sessions delivered since founding.

Name

Girls United Football Association

Legal name

Girls United Football Association

Website

https://girlsunitedfa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Girls United Football Association is a UK-registered nonprofit social enterprise founded in 2017 that runs grassroots football clubs and empowerment programmes for girls and young women aged 5-17 across South London and Mexico (Bacalar, Chetumal, Mexico City), serving 4,500+ players through free or low-cost sessions, competitive teams, international camps, and the UK's largest women's grassroots football tournament.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Grassroots Youth Football Development

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports Teams and Clubs (711211)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Athlete Development & Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) (HSADAEAE), Team & Club Coaching (seasonal team coaching) (HSADAEAF), Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

Keywords

• Grassroots football programmes
• Youth football coaching
• Women's community sport
• Football skills development
• International football camps

Headquarters

HQ city

Brixton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, crowdfunding campaigns (e.g., #PeckhamToBrisbane World Cup Challenge raising over £10,262), and general fundraising activities support the organization's community programmes.
2. International Camp Fees: Fees from the London International Camp programme (10-day elite development experience for ages 15-17) cover 85% of participant costs, with 15% reinvested into community programmes.
3. Tournament Fundraising: Annual International Women's Day 5-a-side tournaments serve as major fundraisers, with funds supporting girls to play football for a year at grassroots sessions.
4. Sponsorships and Grants: Partnership with organizations such as Nike, Sony Sports Businesses (Hawk-Eye, Pulselive), Powerleague, and Common Goal provide funding and in-kind support for programmes and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Girls United Football Association operates grassroots football clubs, coaching programmes, and tournaments that empower girls and young women aged 5-17 in South London and Mexico through tactical football training combined with life skills and leadership development. Core offerings include weekly club sessions, competitive teams (U9-U17), school-based programmes, and a paid 10-day London International Camp for international participants aged 15-17.

Product overview

Girls United Football Association operates as a non-profit grassroots football organization offering a portfolio of football programmes and events across London and Mexico. The core offerings include the London Club (ages 5-17, South London), Mexico Club/Chicas Unidas (ages 5-18, Bacalar and Chetumal), and the London International Camp (ages 15-17). Supporting programmes include the Juega Como Niña programme (ages 7-12, Mexico City), FIFA Foundation Community Programme in Meyehualco, Trailblazer school programmes, and Love The Game x Nike workshops. The organization also runs annual flagship events including the International Women's Day Tournament and community tournaments across both locations. All offerings are delivered free of charge and focus on empowering girls through football while developing leadership skills and creating safe spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• London Club Football club dedicated to empowering girls and young women aged 5-17 in South London, offering drop-in social football sessions for ages 5-14, competitive teams (U9-U17), and holiday camps across multiple South London locations.
• Mexico Club (Chicas Unidas) Grassroots football programme in Mexico operating clubs in Bacalar and Chetumal with training sessions up to 4 times per week, community programmes in rural Quintana Roo, and leagues and tournaments for players aged 5-18.
• London International Camp 10-day elite residential football development programme for ambitious female players aged 15-17 in London, combining high-level training, competitive matches, and cultural immersion with elite coaching and workshops with partners such as Nike, Versus, and Fotmob.
• International Women's Day Tournament Annual fundraiser tournament celebrating women in football, bringing together teams from across London and Mexico to raise funds for grassroots programmes providing safe spaces for girls and young women.
• FIFA Foundation Community Programme - Meyehualco Football training and leadership development programme for girls and adolescents aged 6-17 in Meyehualco, Iztapalapa, Mexico City, delivered through the FIFA Foundation Community Programme.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 6,500 girls impacted in Mexico since 2017
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FIFA FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 July 2024Girls United is the only organisation in Mexico chosen for the FIFA Foundation Community Programme. This enabled the opening of Chicas Unidas Meyehualco in June 2024, benefiting hundreds of girls and families in Iztapalapa, CDMX.
• Hawk-Eye InnovationscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 March 2024Part of of Sony Sports Businesses, Hawk-Eye Innovations has sponsored Girls United's International Women's Day tournament for three consecutive years (2022-2024). Provides essential funding and volunteers for event proceedings. Supports grassroots women's football alongside Pulselive and Beyond Sports.
• PulselivecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 March 2024Part of Sony Sports Businesses, Pulselive has co-sponsored Girls United's annual IWD tournament for three years alongside Hawk-Eye and Beyond Sports. Provides funding and volunteer support for events.
• Beyond SportscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 March 2024Part of Sony Sports Businesses, Beyond Sports co-sponsors the annual International Women's Day tournament alongside Hawk-Eye and Pulselive.
• PowerleaguecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 March 2024Official venue sponsor for International Women's Day tournament for three consecutive years. Hosts events at their Mill Hill (North London) facilities. Committed to supporting the growth of women's football by providing safe and accessible spaces.
• Footy AddictscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 January 2024Launched inclusive recreational football sessions for adults (women and non-binary players) in South London. Partnership provides more opportunities for adults to enjoy recreational football while supporting the next generation. Weekly sessions at JAGS Sports Club in Dulwich.
• Universidad Iberoamericana CDMXminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Venue partner for 8M 2025 Tournament in Mexico City, hosting 25 teams and 263 players for the largest women's football tournament in the region.
• INDEPORTE CDMXminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Mexico City sports authority supporting 8M 2025 events. Part of network of sponsors including Jumex, GNP, Evolv, and MG Sports.
• Laureus Sports for GoodcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 February 2023'Jugamos Juntas' initiative created by Laureus Sports for Good and Nike Mexico. Supports 'Juega Como Niña' programme in Mexico City (Iztapalapa), providing safe spaces for girls aged 7-12 to play football.
• Alleyn's SchoolminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 February 2023Partner school in Dulwich, London hosting International Women's Day Youth Festival and providing facilities for sessions. Over 200 girls participated in IWD 2024 activities.
• Girls Super LeagueminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2022Partnered with Nike FC and Girls Super League for Wembley Stadium takeover event hosting 160 girls from across London. Unique experience bringing grassroots together with elite football growth.
• JunominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 November 2021Female-founded business partnership providing tax advice to footballers and financial education to young people in schools and football academies. Aligned commitment to educating and empowering young people.
• NikecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021'Love The Game' partnership with Nike delivers workshops in South London schools, redefining female role models. Nike provides branded kit for events and supports programme delivery. Key partner in bridging elite football and grassroots communities.
• Common GoalcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 May 2020Global football movement supporting the next generation through sport. Co-sponsors IWD tournament intermediate category. Danielle Carter connected with Girls United through Common Goal. Present at IWD 2024 events.
• Fulham FC FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2020Trailblazer programme partnership to support female students in playing football across 5 new venues in South London. FA qualified coaches and female role models as session leaders.
• London SportminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Provided support for launching sessions for young women aged 15-17, enabling £1 per session pricing at Alleyn's Sports Hall.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sported: UK charity supporting grassroots sport-for-development groups across the country. Comparable funder/intermediary role and community sport focus, with overlapping partner ecosystem.
• Street League: UK charity using sport to help disadvantaged young people into education and employment. Comparable youth-development-through-sport mission and London footprint, though serving broader demographic.
• Women Win: Global nonprofit investing in sport for girls' empowerment across multiple countries. Comparable mission and international footprint, but operates at much larger scale across multiple sports and geographies.
• Dame Kelly Holmes Trust: UK charity supporting young people through athlete mentoring. Comparable UK sport-for-development model leveraging elite athlete ambassadors, similar to Girls United's Caroline Weir and Mónica Rodríguez relationships.
• Women in Sport: UK charity campaigning for greater female participation in sport. Comparable focus on women's and girls' sport access, though operating through advocacy and research rather than direct delivery.
• Right to Play: Global nonprofit using sport to protect and empower children in disadvantaged communities. Comparable international sport-for-development footprint and donor/sponsor base, operating at significantly larger scale.

Direct peers

• Goals for Girls: International nonprofit using football to empower girls globally through life-skills programming and international exchanges. Comparable girls-and-football empowerment focus and cross-cultural camp model.
• Football Beyond Borders: UK-based nonprofit using football to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly in South London. Directly comparable mission of youth empowerment through football with similar community-led delivery model.
• Soccer Without Borders: US-based nonprofit using soccer to empower refugee and immigrant youth. Closely comparable grassroots football-for-social-impact model serving underserved young women, with multi-country programming.

Regional players

• Kick It Out: UK-based football equality and inclusion organization. Comparable women's football equity focus and London presence, though operating in anti-discrimination rather than grassroots delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/girlsunitedfa
• Facebookfacebook.com/girlsunitedfamex
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/girlsunitedfa
• Instagraminstagram.com/girlsunitedfa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Girls United Football Association