Two of Football is Freedom’s leaders-in-training are currently participating in Festival23, a football for good event being held during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia.

The global conference sees approximately 70 female delegates from over 40 countries coming together to celebrate the transformative power of football.

Jamaican footballers Sashana Campbell and Ashleigh Shim were selected to attend Festival23 as part of the Football is Freedom core mission, which is to support the development of women’s football and invest in the holistic wellness of the players who represent the island locally and internationally.

Football is Freedom is an organisation created by Cedella Marley, daughter of reggae icons Bob Marley and Rita Marley, and CEO of the Bob Marley Group as well as global ambassador of Jamaica’s women’s national team, that empowers women and young leaders in the region. Since its launch in 2021, the organisation’s initiatives have been focused on driving awareness for women’s football.

“This is part of the Football is Freedom’s plan to develop a proper ecosystem that the players can relate to and to support the growth and develop of our Reggae Girlz through exposure to opportunities such as Festival23,” said Marley.

She added, “This also helps our former players by providing a pathway to other careers in football. Football is Freedom is more than certain that our women will make an impact in the conference.”

Both Campbell and Shim are part of the grassroots staff mentorship and perform in the role of assistant coaches at Football is Freedom. Campbell, Reggae Girlz defender, has been a member of the senior squad since 2014. She recently played in Australia (her second-consecutive World Cup with the team) and has continuously demonstrated strong leadership qualities.

Shim is a former Reggae Girlz forward who was selected for Jamaica’s 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad. She is a steadfast advocate for women’s football, empowering young girls globally to show their strength on and off the field.

Festival23, hosted by Football United, Creating Chances and Common Goal in the city of Sydney, kickstarted with its official opening ceremony on August 6 and runs until August 13. The theme is ‘Inspiring the Next Generation to Embrace Equity, Driven by the Inclusive Spirit of Women’s Football’.

The event will enable the young leaders from the global football community and many others through its exciting programme which includes the Young Leader Fairplay Tournament tomorrow (August 9), and workshops such as the Football Coaching Education and Football for Good Forum on August 11 and August 12 respectively as well as cultural events. Over 2,500 youths in Australia have been given a chance to participate, and it is expected to create a compounding effect of positive social change across communities in Australia and worldwide.

With all eyes on the FIFA Women’s World Cup games, Football is Freedom is also highlighted on ‘OCEAUNZ TV’ – a brand-new YouTube content series by the adidas Football Collective. Produced through partners like Common Goal and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the series aims to celebrate dynamic grassroots football communities. In episode one, Cedella Marley presents the information about Football is Freedom in a fun and creative way, sharing interesting facts about her father’s love for the sport as well as background on her skilled players.