“I want to have a future with a good education and the freedom to do what I want.” Havere Morina When I met Hava, I got to know a smart, dedicated and passionate young woman. She wants to change the world and be a role model. She is growing up in Hodonoc in Kosovo. She had a happy childhood. When she started to play soccer, things got complicated. Where she lived, no girl played soccer. Women’s soccer was not accepted. But her love for soccer grew every day. And soon she was the only girl playing with boys from her neighborhood. She felt happy and free on the field. But as she got older, neighbors started talking about her behind her back. But her family strengthened her back. You only live once and should live your life freely they encouraged her. But suddenly her life at home became difficult. They were exposed to persecution and her family had to leave home. 2014 they arrived in Germany. A new life began for Hava. She said it felt like being born again. The beginning was not easy. But she is curious about the country she now lives in. She is ambitious. At […] Read More
Decision between Soccer and Tennis Martina is from Heilbronn. Then she also played tennis. She used to be very good in both — soccer and tennis. At one point, it turned out to be too much with both trainings and she had to decide for one of it — she chose soccer. Why? That is quite simple: “Football is a winning team; you celebrate your wins altogether. In tennis you are standing alone with everything.” Good Performance kills Prejudices Martina plays soccer for more then 19 years! She started at the age of 6. She only played with boys, no matter where — on the football ground or in unions. In the start, they didn’t take her seriously, but when they saw her kicking, they started to worship her. Performance kills prejudices! Her life theme: Live now, in the presence and make sure to be happy. Her dream for the future is to develop forward and solidify — in job and in football. Soccer helps to grow as a person Through playing soccer, Martina was able to grow as a person. She learned to stand up and keep her head up. She can aim at her targets and reach them. All that she learned on the football field. In her chest there is beating an warrior’s heart. […] Read More
Growing up sheltered The first chapter of her life began in the southern part of Germany. Pia grew up in Kochel am See. It’s close to the alps and therefore very idyllic with beautiful landscapes. In 2001 her family moved to Mosbach, where she went to school and graduated with the university-entrance diploma in 2012. Pia started academic studies in ‘media and communication sciences’ at the university in Mannheim. Because it was too stressful for her driving from Mosbach to Mannheim every day, she moved to the city she studied in. Love at second sight Pia’s older brother is 2 years older than her. He has already played football when the family still lived in Bavaria. She always accompanied him, but hasn’t played herself. Not until they’ve moved to Mosbach. Then she started with 2 other classmates, girls, to play in the minor league of the FC Mosbach. But the others soon lost interest in playing football and Pia didn’t want to play solely with boys. So, she stopped playing football until she was around 16 years old. Pia started to stand on the field again when the VfK Diedesheim formed a girls-team. To her many stops lead to the goal After Pia moved to Mannheim, she started to play for the TSV Amicitia Viernheim. In 2015 she graduated from university with her bachelor’s degree. Luckily, she got an internship at the press office of the football association in Baden. For this job […] Read More
As a life-affirming enthusiast I believe that everything happens for a reason. And even from the most painful situations, I’m always confident that fulfilling and happier situations will emerge. I’ve lived across two continents and I’ve traveled to countless countries. I’ve worked in different roles and I am committed to fight for an equal world for girls and women in particular in sport. I’ve gotten to know amazing people and feel the power of love. Full of all these experiences I wish I could tell my younger self about that. Stuff that’s based on how I thought, felt, and viewed the world at around 20 years old. It could have saved me time, worry, and lots of unnecessary drama. I’d like to find her and say these things, not because I’m unhappy where I am now, but because of the wasted time, wasted emotions, and wasted growth. Expressing Gratitude Sometimes we forget how amazing it is to simply wake up to a new day and be grateful for being alive. Never take your present day for granted and acknowledge it. You will see how your day changes. Take More Risks Nobody walks up to you and lifts the veil on […] Read More
