Nike Launches Its 'Accelerator Program' to Drive Equality in Sports
Nike has partnered with Football Victoria to announce the new Nike FC Accelerator Program, a new initiative designed to drive gender equality in sports while inspiring the next generation of athletes.
As the world watches its most elite female footballers compete in Australia and New Zealand at the World Cup, Nike has now introduced its new program to help grow the game's future players. Mainly based at the new Home of the Matildas, the Nike FC Accelerator Program is a four-year commitment to help fuel female athletes.
Focusing on increasing female leadership by funding certified coaching programs, it also offers existing female coaches the opportunity to upgrade their license and in turn, elevate female coaches on Nike channels. The program follows the success of a recent Nike coaching education investment, which has already doubled the number of female C-License coaches in Victoria.
This month, 30 more coaches will graduate, leading to almost 600 accredited female coaches in the region. Additionally, the Nike FC Accelerator Program will give the Nike Football Community -- which includes thousands of young women and girls throughout Victoria -- access to the Home of Matilda's world-class facilities and the dedicated Nike FC pitch.
Commenting on the launch of Nike FC's Accelerator Program, Ashley Reade, Nike's Pacific General Manager, and Vice President, said: "We're committed to making meaningful investments in women’s sport, deepening our support for young female athletes and building a better game. The Nike FC Accelerator Program is the latest way we are elevating the game and helping the next generation fall in love with football and sport."
Furthermore, the new partnership expands Nike's existing commitment to grassroots community initiatives by giving access to sports and play for kids around Australia, which includes Fitzroy Lions Soccer Club, Helping Hoops, National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA), and the Dylan Alcott Foundation.
In other sports news, Neymar has joined a new club.
