Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE / MEDIA KIT
Festival23: Inspiring the Next Generation to Embrace Equity, Driven by the Inclusive Spirit of Women's Football
Release Date: 20th July 2023
During the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Festival23 will showcase Football for Good’s contribution to a more equal and sustainable world and inspire everyone in the game to play their part.
Festival23 is a global Football for Good event, gathering 70 young women delegates from more than 40 countries and 2,500 young people from Australia to celebrate the transformative power of football. The Festival is hosted by Football United, Creating Chances and Common Goal in Sydney, Australia, the host city of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final, between the 6th and 13th of August 2023.
Driven by the power and inclusive spirit of women’s football, Festival23 will be an opportunity to create awareness and tackle critical issues facing the world, with programmes dedicated to advancing the United Nations Global Goals focusing on gender equality, climate action, youth employability and diversity and inclusion. To address them, the event will deliver eight days of capacity-building workshops, immersive cross-cultural activities, world-class forums, and a fair play football tournament.
With over 2,500 direct participants, Festival23 will create a multiplier effect of positive social change internationally and across communities in Australia. A legacy worth building, Festival23 has a potential impact on tens of thousands of young people over the years to come.
This is not the first time a Football for Good festival is held in parallel to a World Cup. Since 2006, Common Goal, in partnership with community organisations around the world, has implemented festivals alongside major football events including the FIFA Men's World Cup 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018, and most recently the FIFA Women's World Cup 2019.
Football for Good Festivals have gained recognition for their ability to unite the global Football for Good community and empower young people through a combination of educational workshops and cultural programmes, all centered around the beautiful game.
“Football for Good Festivals bring together youth from across the world, to engage in, celebrate and showcase the power of Football for Social Change, in promoting gender equity, climate action and all abilities engagement. Festival23 will be unique in that it not only brings young women leaders from 70 different organisations across the world, but it also involves significant engagement with local children and young people, who will be mentored by leading international Football for Good experts. The inspirational power of these Festivals is unparalleled - a lasting social legacy on and off the field!” Dr. Anne Bunde-Birouste, Director of Festival23.
Festival23 is possible with the support from major sponsors including the FIFA Women’s Development Program, adidas, UEFA Foundation for Children, Rexona, Generation Amazing, the Australian Federal Government, the U.S. Consulate General, Sydney, FOX, Hyundai and Football Australia.
“Change is only possible through radical collaboration. Festival23 will provide thought provoking spaces for young women leaders from grassroots movements around the world to come together and discuss the gender-transformative approaches they use in their communities to change the game. It will also be an opportunity for industry leaders and decision makers to be inspired by the innovative ways in which grassroot football movements are already advancing girls and women's rights, opportunities, representation and access to the sport. We need to enable collective action in order to bring the structural change that is needed within the football ecosystem. Initiatives like Festival23 are crucial for our success." Sol Fauquier, Gender Equity Lead, Common Goal.
Join us in August as we celebrate the profound influence of football for good during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. Together, we can build a legacy of empowerment, unity, and positive change that will resonate for years to come.
Opportunities for media interviews at key Festival23 events with Festival23 Managers and International Young Leader Delegates include:
Festival23 Opening Ceremony, 6th August, 5pm - 6.30pm, Welcome to Country and Special Guests (Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen)
Young Leader Fairplay Tournament, 9th August, 6pm - 7.30pm, 70 Young Leader Delegates to participate in a Fairplay Football Tournament (Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen)
Football Coaching Education, 11th August, 9am - 1pm, Coach Education underpinned by Positive Youth Development principles and delivered by Football NSW and Football United coach educators (Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Narrabeen)
Football for Good Forum, 12th August, 2pm - 6pm, Advocacy and networking event on the theme of ‘Gender Equity: On the pitch, on the sidelines, in the organisation, with the fans’ through a range of forums, panels and workshops with industry experts (Australian College of Physical Education, Sydney Olympic Park)
Festival23 Fairplay Tournament & Closing Ceremony, 13th August, 10am - 6.30pm, A World Cup Tournament for 200+ young people with music, live performances, food and special guests, followed by the Festival23 Closing Ceremony (University of New South Wales Village Green, Kensington)
To attend an event for media opportunities, please contact:
Eve Wilcox
Festival23 Media
admin@festival23.org
