Shaped through consultations with girls’ organizations, UN partners and, most importantly, girls themselves, the United Nations International Day of the Girl theme is ‘The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis’.

So today, IFAF celebrates the success of member federation the Nigeria American Football Association (NAFA), which delivers on IFAF’s collective commitment to further gender equality in American football and empower women and girls through sports. This summer, NAFA provided young Nigerian girls with the tools, training, and confidence to lead both on and off the field.

In an inspiring showcase of synergy between sports, education, and empowerment, NAFA and BROWNS NIGERIA through their Gridiron Gems Initiative partnered with the BEMORE Empowered Foundation to bring flag football to the 2025 BEMORE Summer Bootcamp.

The partnership represents a significant milestone in Gridiron Gems' mission to take American flag football into unconventional and impactful spaces. With a shared vision for girl-child empowerment, the Gridiron Gems and BEMORE unites to create an unforgettable experience for campers, introducing them to flag football for the very first time.

"This partnership is a celebration of what’s possible when vision meets action," said NAFA President, Babajide Akeredolu. " BEMORE has built a legacy of empowering girls, and Gridiron Gems is proud to add the power of sport to that journey."

Across four action-packed days of the first BEMORE initiative, the Gridiron Gems team, which included coaches from team Nigeria, NAFA’s Head (NFL Certified), athletes from Nigeria’s Women’s National Flag Football Team who served as coaches, and volunteers delivered immersive sessions blending technical skills with life-building values.

“The fact that this is a national federation working in partnership with an NFL franchise is proof of how our unique collaboration with the NFL and its ecosystem can help drive grassroots sports development and positive impact around the world,” said IFAF President Pierre Trochet.

All around the world, girls are stepping up to meet today’s biggest challenges. They are organizing in their communities, fighting for climate justice, demanding an end to violence and reimagining their futures. Girls are asking to be seen not only for the challenges they face, but for who they are and the solutions they bring. Yet, too often, their voices go unheard, their actions ignored, their needs and rights pushed aside.

"We’re following our plan to introduce the sport to as many young women as possible and broaden their minds about opportunities in American football," said Nancy Damhindi, Coordinator of the Gridiron Gems Initiative. "Through this collaboration with BEMORE, we’re not just teaching football we’re developing leaders."

The BEMORE initiative opened with theory and practical training, equipping girls with the basic rules, terminology, and gameplay structures. As confidence grew, so did performance. The second day saw the girls drafted into teams Browns, Knights of Camelot, Crystal Gems, and BEMORE Icons fostering camaraderie and healthy competition. By the third day drills had evolved into structured scrimmages, and day four culminated in an exhibition game that showcased the grit, growth, and grace of each participant.

One of the most striking moments of the final scrimmage was a comeback play from a previously discouraged player who went on to score the winning touchdown and extra point.

"I told her I believed in her, and she delivered,” explained Coach Uche Henry, a member of the Nigeria National Women’s Flag Football Team. “That’s the power of this sport. It teaches resilience, and these girls have it in abundance."

In August in Egypt, Nigeria’s men’s and women’s teams were became the first continental champions of the IFAF Africa flag football championships and qualified for the 2026 IFAF world championships to be played in Dusseldorf next summer.

To cap off the BEMORE program, special awards were presented during the bootcamp closing ceremony, with categories including Best Offensive Player, Best Defensive Player, Best Quarterback, Best Rusher, Most Improved, and Overall MVP. Each recipient received a branded football as a symbol of encouragement to keep practicing.

"Flag football has changed how I see myself," said Promise, a 16-year-old BEMORE participant. "I learned how to be part of a team, lead others, and never give up."

This activation is part of a broader commitment by NAFA and BROWNS NIGERIA to reach 150,000 girls across Nigeria by 2030 through flag football. With continued support from BEMORE and other partners, the program will expand grassroots engagement, certify coaches, and open new doors for girls in sport and leadership.

"We believe in raising girls who are not just skilled, but unstoppable," added Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Founder of BEMORE Empowered Foundation. "Flag football brings a new dimension to our mission, and we’re thrilled to collaborate with NAFA to make it happen."