Following the Impact of the International Sport Connection: Growing the Game for Girls Rwanda Visit 2012

ISC Assistant Director Lisa Berg and the players of AC Kigale and the Rwandan Women's National Team Coach, Grace, after their training session

 In order to continue the work of the International Sport Connection, Coach Lisa Berg and Coach Majidah Nantanda hit the road to Rwanda. The ISC Coaches were able to share their International Sport Connection Growing the Game for Girls Program with teams near the capital city of Kagali.

The mountains in Northern Rwanda.

Slums outside the capital of Kigali, Rwanda.

The International Sport Connection was founded upon the belief that sports bring people together.  After the suffering that Rwanda experienced in their civil war, sports have been an important part of their recovery. This special visit brought this belief alive as the coaches from multiple countries came together to empower women and inspire future generations to stay in school, respect one another, and live healthy lives.  

ISC trained coach and Ugandan National Team Coach Majidah Nantanda and kids in Western Rwanda.

Rwanda Head National Team Coach Grace addressing her team.

Ugandan Women's National Team Coach Majidah watches a local training in Kagali, Rwanda.

Lisa Berg and Majidah Nantanda visited the women’s national soccer team coach, Grace, in Kigali to learn about the impact of women’s soccer on that country. The International Sport Connection coaches lived with Rwandese the team and coaches, they shared stories, and they even trained together.  Coach Nantanda and Coach Berg also got the opportunity to travel to an away game with Coach Grace’s team.

Rwanda National Team Coach Grace conducting training with her women's professional team.

One of the many talented players in Rwanda.

The team bus on the road trip to their away game.

ISC Coach Nantanda with Assistant Coaches and City Counselors.

AC Kigale team ready for a win on the road.

AC Kigale players in action.

Coach Grace at half-time with her team.  Locals loved to crowd around the team!

AC Kigale players showing off before the game.

ISC Assistant Director Lisa Berg with players before their game in Kagali.

The match-up of the year in the Rwandan Women's Professional Soccer League!

Exciting action of professional women's soccer in Rwanda.

The Assistant Director of the International Sport Connection, Lisa Berg, conducted training sessions for women’s professional teams in Rwanda and spoke to the young women about their experiences as females playing soccer in Africa.  Coach Berg also worked with local coaches on ways to improve training session.  

ISC Assistant Director Lisa Berg speaks with Rwandan female soccer players about their experiences.

The local Rwandan during women's team training.

Local Rwandan Women's Soccer Team.

On one of the last day’s in Kagali, the International Sport Connection Coaches watched the Rwandan Men’s National Team play against Nigeria at the same stadium that they were conducting the women’s team’s training.

The Nigerian Men's National Team training on the other side of the field as ISC Coach Lisa Berg's training.

Kick-off between the Rwandan Men's National Team and the Nigerian Men's National Team.

 ISC Assistant Director explains the objective of the ISC Growing the Game for Girls Projects:

ISC Assistant Director Lisa Berg with the captain of the AC Kigale Women's Team.

 “As an American soccer player, I never thought that this sport was just for boys or just for girls.  Traveling to Africa has opened my eyes to the fact that girls and women are not encouraged to take part in sport as much as I was growing up.  I’ve had such a positive experience with sports in my life that I want to work towards opening up opportunities for more women and girls to have those positive experiences as well.  The International Sport Connection is more than a sports diplomacy program.  We are on the ground, working with local communities, and I am honored to meet so many amazing people as we share the same language: sport.”

ISC Assistant Director Lisa Berg with player and coaches from AC Kigale.

ISC Assistant Director Lisa Berg and Rwanda Women's National Team Coach Grace.