Right to Dream Academy has been a major source of talent for world football. It has also become a place where young girls are pursuing careers in football.
The dream to enrol girls in the Academy started in 2013 and this has been quite unique.
A visit to the Academy by Onua Sports’ Obaayaa Adepa Nyamekye Amankwa (ADEPA GH) saw some girls already up for their daily training regime.
One of these girls is Priscilla Marfo, who only graduated from the Academy last year. She had a first senior women’s national team call-up last year under former Black Queens Head Coach Nora Hauptle.
This has boosted the confidence of some of the students as the call-up has made Priscilla a role model for many in the Academy.
Head of Character and Purpose at Right to Dream Academy Lydia Opoku Ansah shared how Priscilla Marfo needed to fight stereotypes to reach her enviable status.
“At first, some thought it’s impossible especially the society we come from. Truth to be told Priscilla Marfo was better than some of the guys,” she said.
“She needed to add education to the football career so that she will understand agent, agency and contracts etc so she can better her or have a profession in case the football fails her.”
Naa Ayeley Mensah Commodore, who was there as PE teacher, now trains most of the girls.
She underscores her role at the Academy.
“I came to teach but I ended up coaching the girls all because Right to Dream gave me the opportunity to learn something new. They then enrolled me in CAF License Coaching course.
“Teaching and coaching (training) after school is very difficult but the girls are my source of motivation because they do same. I want others to say ‘Wow’ she did it and served as role models to them.”
Some of the girls in the Academy also shared why they chose Right to Dream Academy and how well they have benefited from school.
Charlotte, a striker, said: “I want to take my education serious and have a better future and also want to be a professional footballer. I have learnt to be humble and respectful.”
Winifred, a centre back, on her part, stated: “I want to be a business woman. I also want to be a professional footballer in future. Right to Dream has really helped me shape my life.”
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Right to Dream Alex Asiedu shared reasons why they decided to add girls to the Aacademy.
“Ladies are very important in our community and very important in our lives. We saw what can come out of them and we needed to add it to our policy so that we can help them to have a better future not only on the field but to also have a good education.
“Right to Dream does not focus on only the football but also focuses on other extra curriculum like robotics, cadet, arts etc because they believe it’s not everyone who will take the football to the next level in life. That’s why when they go out to scout players, they educate them and tell them when you come to Right to Dream, you will write entrance exams. When you fail, they can’t enroll you in the Academy.”
Teacher and Scout Madam Nana Ama Otuahene talked about how scouting is done.
“We go out to scout players but they know when they fail the exams they can’t be part us. Like they say education is the key to success.”
Right to Dream is not just to dream but have to show working and in coming years they want to see all the players world wide and waving the flag of Right to Dream.
By Adepa GH
