The Cook Islands Football Association hosted the inaugural She Shines Festival ‘Together with Women’ at its complex in Matavera last week, linking with other organisations to empower and support women.
CIFA established the festival “to help bring women together to build positive relationships and bond with one another through football”.
CIFA Women’s Football Development Officer, Tupou Patia-Brogan said the association aimed to encourage women from the private and government sectors, women in health, sport, police and various community groups to participate.
Patia-Brogan said introducing a range of women and girls to the game was now of the key aims of the event, but promoting unity and solidarity was also a key aspect.
“We want to encourage women to play football and to show them that we are not alone in this world, as well as to create a bond of support with each business in the hopes that we will help each other in the near future.”
Information booths featuring CIFWA and Cook Islands Police, as well as health partners, were present on the day, which also included several guest speakers, offering education and information across a range of subjects.
Dozens of participants enjoyed an afternoon of football-related activities, with many getting their first kick of a football, before ending the festivities with a session from CC Tamure Fitness.
The She Sines Festival ‘Together with Women’ was held on Wednesday 28 April from 10am to 1pm at the CIFA Complex in Matavera.
