Sport, Creativity, Dedication

Silvia Gai, Italy

We have teamed up with the adidas Breaking Barriers Project to share the inspiring stories of 16 Champions across Europe as they advocate for women and girls in sport within their local communities. The first instalment of this series showcases six Champions from the UK, Italy and Poland who are all working to support the next generation of women in football. Silvia Gai is an adidas Breaking Barriers Champion and a project manager at Balon Mundial in Turin, Italy, and she also plays for the Italian women’s rugby national team.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about how you got involved in football and rugby?

My name is Silvia Gai, and I am Italian. I live and work in Turin, but I grew up in a provincial town called Chieri. I have always been passionate about sports, and living outside the city has certainly influenced this passion. I was lucky enough to spend my childhood in the meadows playing and running as much as possible. 

My relationship with football has been an exciting and fluctuating journey that has taken me through different phases of discovery and change. As a child, football was my world. I would spend my days with friends in the courtyards, challenging each other with kicks and goals. We were a tight-knit group, united by our passion for the sport, and those days remain among the most precious memories of my childhood. 

As the years went by, however, my enthusiasm for football began to waver. I started to see football through different eyes and became aware of some of the issues surrounding it. Most notably, I noticed deep-rooted gender inequality and ethical problems, like corruption and discrimination. These realisations led me to distance myself from something I once loved so much. Fortunately, my love for sports, in general, never faded. I continued to explore other disciplines, which is how I discovered rugby. 

The energy and physicality of rugby fascinated me, and I decided to become a rugby player. I currently play with the CUS Torino rugby team in the Italian A-Union league. I am also currently playing for the Italy national rugby league team. Rugby taught me the importance of teamwork, loyalty, and resilience. It provided me with a new family within the team.  

However, when I least expected it, life surprised me. I had the opportunity to get to know Balon Mundial, an organisation that uses sports, particularly football, as a tool to create positive social change. Intrigued, I decided to give this initiative a chance. 

With Balon Mundial, I rediscovered a version of football that excited me, just like when I was a child. A football that transcends the boundaries of differences and seeks to unite and include people. I realised that football itself was not the problem, but how it was managed and interpreted in certain contexts. Balon Mundial showed me the power of sports in promoting equality and inclusion, prompting me to reconnect with what was once my passion. 

Why did you start working in your community? Why are you motivated to do the work that you do? 

In 2021, I felt the need to give something back to the community and put my energy to use for a cause that would have a positive impact. My first year with Balon Mundial was an exciting tour through various work facets. I started experimenting with communication, trying to make the association and its projects known to the outside world. I had the opportunity to get onto the field, working directly with young participants and sharing my passion for sports with them.

The experience with Balon Mundial enriched me and strengthened my passion for social work. I was determined to make as many people as possible aware of the importance and positive impact of the initiatives of Balon Mundial. Managing communication was a challenging but rewarding task, as I saw the interest and support for the cause grow. 

In 2023, I had the chance to take an even further step in my journey with Balon Mundial. My role changed, and I am currently the project manager of an international project called LAYSREPLAY.

This project involves managing a community football pitch within a neighbourhood. Here, we focus on creating inclusive and intercultural teams that play together and learn to understand and respect diversity. Thanks to Balon Mundial, I found a way to put my passion for sports and my desire to contribute to a more inclusive society to good use. 

Why do you think your work with girls is important?

Promoting gender equality is a choice that comes from my personal experience. I have experienced firsthand the challenges and disparities many girls face on a daily basis in pursuing their dreams and ambitions. These experiences have opened my eyes to the need to take action to ensure more opportunities and equality in our community.

Working to give girls more opportunities is a privilege. I deeply feel that every girl deserves to fulfil her potential and achieve her goals, regardless of gender. I want to dedicate myself to this mission because promoting gender equality is essential for social progress.

I am committed to raising awareness in our community about the challenges girls face and the need to eliminate gender disparities. I want to be a voice that inspires change and encourages inclusion. Through Balon Mundial, we actively collaborate with local institutions and bodies to promote policies and programmes that favour gender equality, guaranteeing equal opportunities for all girls.

Thanks to Balon Mundial, it was possible for me to plan events and activities for girls. We aim to actively involve both the players and the public at the matches, creating an immediate impact and promoting greater awareness of gender equity and anti-discrimination issues in sport. These people, in turn, can become agents of change in their community as they share and spread the values ​​promoted by the adidas Breaking Barriers Project.

What did you try to capture with your photos? Was there a deeper meaning to the photos? What do these images mean to you as a Champion of the adidas Breaking Barriers Project?

The photos were taken in Turin and Udine, divided between football and rugby fields. All the images go beyond capturing a simple moment of play; they represent female empowerment, showcasing girls pursuing their interests and passion for sports without being limited by predefined gender roles in society. The photos representing football are a celebration of individuality, capturing the essence and uniqueness of each player, recognising their strength and uniqueness. The photos depicting rugby symbolise unity, solidarity, and determination. Together, the women depicted have overcome various gender barriers, demonstrating that the sports field is not exclusive to men, but a place where women's passion and talent can create wonderful things.

Why is sport important for your community? Why is it important to you?

Gender equality in traditionally masculine sports requires more commitment and work from society. Female participation in these sports is important because it helps challenge and break down ingrained gender stereotypes in society.

When women actively participate in traditionally men's sports, it demonstrates that athletic ability is not limited to gender. This participation helps to demolish the idea that some sports are reserved exclusively for men or that women are less able or interested in practising them.

Sport improves women's physical and mental health by building community and solidarity through social networks and supportive communities. This encourages friendships and the exchange of experiences, and mutual support by creating a positive and inclusive environment for women in the community.

Team sports also contribute to female empowerment as skills like leadership, resilience, discipline, and determination are developed. Through sports, women can gain self-confidence, learn to handle challenges, and face adversity. 

Sport has given me the opportunity to create networks and bonds while feeling empowered and improving my leadership abilities both at a sporting level (becoming vice-captain of my team) and during everyday life.

What role does football and rugby play in your community and your culture or society? What are some of the prevailing challenges for women and girls in your communities?

Football is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports in Italy and has a base of passionate and dedicated fans. Football fandom is deeply rooted in Italian culture and goes far beyond mere sports participation. Additionally, playing football in courtyards, streets, and parks is an intrinsic part of Italian culture. Football is a sport that involves people of all ages and is played wherever there is enough space to roll a ball. Football is much more than a sport in Italy; it represents a fundamental element of national and local identity, engaging people in a deep and passionate way.

Italian public opinion may still believe that some sports are unsuitable for women. This attitude is influenced by gender stereotypes, cultural traditions, and predefined social expectations. In particular, some sports, such as football, rugby, boxing, and other contact sports are often considered "boys' sports". 

In Italy, opportunities for women to play sports have significantly increased in recent years, but there are still challenges and inequalities to face to ensure equal participation. Some of the challenges include a lack of financial resources, low media coverage of women's competitions, the persistence of gender stereotypes, and inequalities of treatment and opportunity.

What are some of the barriers that you have faced within football? 

In football, I found my role behind the scenes, in a position that allowed me to listen and understand the challenges and barriers that women face in sports. I was not the protagonist on the field, but I had the privilege of giving a voice to the participants' experiences of Balon Mundial events. 

I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of the participants, to understand the challenges they face every day, and to feel the passion and determination with which they fight to overcome the barriers they encounter in the football world. I listened to their stories of courage and resilience, of how they had to face deep-rooted gender stereotypes, which often lead to injustices and inequalities. I confronted the reality of accessibility in sports, a challenge for many women who want to participate in football but are confronted with poorly equipped facilities or non-inclusive programs. 

However, the issue of barriers is not limited to accessibility. I discovered that women's football is often characterised by a disparity in remuneration and contract recognition compared to male players. This is a struggle for gender equity that goes beyond the confines of the field, a battle for the recognition of women in the world of sports. I tried to make these stories known, to raise awareness about these barriers, hoping that more people could realise the injustices and challenges that many women face in football. I worked to promote change and push for a more equitable and respectful football culture.

What impact has the adidas Breaking Barriers Project had on your journey as a leader and change-maker in women’s sport? What are your ambitions for the future?

The opportunity I was given through the adidas Breaking Barriers Project to develop opportunities within women's sport left me with enormous enthusiasm. It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to combine a passion for sport with promoting gender equality.

One of the most gratifying aspects of this project was being able to offer the girls the opportunity to play and have fun, but also to explore fundamentally important issues related to wellbeing. Through the participation of industry experts and role models, we were able to provide them with valuable information on psychology, nutrition, and the importance of anti-discrimination.

Furthermore, meeting role models was a valuable opportunity for the girls. Interacting with successful women who have overcome challenges and achieved significant results in sport has allowed the girls to inspire themselves and build self-confidence. 

What do you think the future looks like for football and rugby in your community and Italy? What do you want to change? How would you improve gender equality?

My hope for the future of football in my community revolves around values of inclusion, equity, ethics, and social responsibility. Football has the potential to be a powerful tool for social change and inspiration, and I want to see these hopes translate into concrete and positive actions for the benefit of all football enthusiasts and our society. 

I hope to see Italian football become increasingly inclusive and committed to fighting against all forms of discrimination. We hope to witness greater awareness and education on issues of racism, homophobia, and gender equity within stadiums and football in general. We also hope that women's football in Italy receives more recognition and support, both at the professional and amateur levels. We wish to see increased participation and opportunities for girls and women who love this sport and that female players are treated with the same importance and consideration as their male counterparts.

I have great faith in the commitment of my community to continue promoting gender equity in rugby and football. It is true, change takes time and constant effort, but with the support of people and associations that share our vision, we can make a difference.

Want to join us in breaking barriers for women and girls in Europe? Join the adidas Breaking Barriers Academy here.