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The organization empowers girls and women
by pairing physical education with evidence-based
curriculum covering topics from leadership to
consent. Their in‑person and online workshops,
in partnership with local sports leagues, schools
and other programs, offer a non-judgmental, safe
space for girls to engage in sports. The programs
also connect participants to REAL (relatable,
empowered, active leaders) role models who range
from athletes and coaches to kinesthesiology
students and firefighters.
“There are great organizations out there that
are community hubs, that know the youth in the
community. We want to come in and partner with
them and be the experts on girls in sport and
physical activity, and elevate those female role
models,” says Estrada.
This Edmonton Community Foundation grant
will enable Fast and Female to run more of their
programs in Edmonton, where Estrada says there’s
already a huge amount of interest and engagement
in the program.
For both Fuga and Estrada, sport is a lifelong
passion. Enabling Fast and Female to expand their
work in Edmonton means more girls will have the
opportunity to have their lives enriched by sports.
“Can you imagine if all teenage girls were told,
you can do whatever you want. You can do hard
things and you’ve got a support network behind
you. Just think of the different trajectory females
would have growing up with that empowerment
behind them,” Fuga says.
“Can you imagine if all
teenage girls were told, you
can do whatever you want.
You can do hard things
and you’ve got a support
network behind you. Just
think of the different
trajectory females would
have growing up with that
empowerment behind them.”
— Jackie Fuga
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