The Portuguese Players’ Union’s partnership with the Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) will see 11 Portuguese footballers partake in the SIGA Women Global Mentorship Programme.
This development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in September 2024 between SIGA and the Union, reinforcing both parties’ commitment to promoting and empowering women athletes through advocacy and collaboration. Through this programme, the Portuguese women’s squad will be matched with high-level international female industry leaders, who have committed to becoming SIGA Mentors.
According to Joaquim Evangelista, president of the Portuguese Players’ Union, the partnership aims to achieve the strategic objective of training and empowering the nation’s women footballers.
“This programme is, above all, an opportunity to contribute to the personal growth of the participants, enabling them to strengthen their contribution and leadership in football, both during and after their careers,” said Evangelista.
“Gender equality is built through opportunities and differentiated experiences like this one.”
The 11 players selected to receive mentorship are:
1. Carla Couto, Former Football Player; Women’s Football Ambassador, Player’s Union
2. Dolores Silva, Professional Football Player, SC Braga
3. Inês Maia, Professional Football Player, Beşiktaş
4. Laura Luís, Professional Football Player, Albergaria
5. Marta Ferreira, Professional Football Player, Racing Power
6. Matilde Fidalgo, Former Football Player, Women’s Football Advisor, Player’s Union
7. Mariana Jaleca, Professional Football Player, Rio Ave
8. Micaela Matos, Former Football Player, Women’s Football Delegate, Player’s Union
9. Paula Encinas (Pauleta), Professional Football Player, SL Benfica
10. Rita Fontemanha, Professional Football Player, Sporting
11. Tatiana Pinto, Professional Football Player, At. Madrid
The welcoming event took place at the Players’ Union facilities in Odivelas, near Lisbon, amidst an atmosphere of enthusiasm, with the participation of key representatives from SIGA, including global chief executive officer Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros and Katie Simmonds, SIGA Women chair, as well as Evangelista.
Open to women aged 21 and above, the programme is designed to promote future leaders in sports and foster greater diversity within the sports industry. Teaching vital leadership skills and creating invaluable experiences, the eight-month programme will offer prospective mentees the opportunity to forge relationships with women who have trodden the leadership path, through a combination of group and bilateral digital sessions.
The highlight of the event earlier this week was the launch of a Financial Literacy workshop specifically designed for women athletes. SIGA is set to roll out these courses later this year in partnership with the Sports Financial Literacy Academy (SFLA), an arm of APC Compliance.
This initiative was presented by SIGA Women chair, Katie Simmonds, and Athena Constantinou of APC Compliance, and underscores SIGA’s commitment to providing tangible support and resources to female athletes.
Simmonds said the sixth cycle of the programme will be SIGA’s best and biggest yet, with more global mentors and mentees joining from across the world.
“Last year we connected 150 women from 32 countries. This year we are aiming for over 300. Working together, we can change cultures and create a legacy to make the pathway of those that come after us easier,” said Simmonds.
“I believe that financial literacy is a key component of female empowerment and independence, and it was a pleasure to deliver our first session of our course to the talented female footballers in Portugal. Stay tuned for the release of our courses on this topic and for our international calendar of SIGA Women events.”
Twentytwo13 is the official media partner of SIGA.
