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March 1, 2024
For 17 years, Argentina’s La Nuestra Fútbol Feminista football club has been affirming the rights of Buenos Aires’ women, girls and LGBTQ+ individuals. From the heart of the notorious Villa 31 barrio the club empowers its players to take up space: on the football pitch and in their community. With around 200 participants, La Nuestra provides more than just a place to play; it offers a home where members find belonging, support and opportunity.
Despite it being home to 60,000 people, areas like Villa 31 are rarely visited by Buenos Aires tourists. Located near the central Retiro railway station, the barrio’s low-income residents face challenges accessing healthcare, education and safe living conditions that make life especially challenging for women and girls. Twice a week, though, the girls of Villa 31 get room of their own, when four fields in the colorful and inviting club grounds come alive with La Nuestra’s dedicated practices and matches.
La Nuestra – literally “ours” in English – has a leadership team that understands Villa 31’s challenges firsthand: over three-quarters of coaches have experienced gender discrimination and tough social circumstances. For Belen Bramanti, coach for the club’s 12-14 year olds, their shared social context makes the club’s existence vital. “It seems essential to me that we take up space in these areas of sport, culture and life that were previously denied to us, maybe even unthinkable,” she says. “Even more, that we are protagonists within these spaces and role models for those outside.”
Beyond the pitch, La Nuestra goes the extra mile. Recognizing the multifaceted needs of its members, the club offers players access to a diverse team of professionals, including psychologists, social workers and gender activists. This holistic approach addresses issues like violence and abuse, guiding players toward justice and healing.
The club also ensures that financial constraints never hinder participation, supporting players with travel, equipment and essential supplies. “I like that this space works hard to guarantee the right to sport for all,” says Bramanti. “Here, football really is free: in terms of cost, yes, but also in terms of offering girls the freedom to be themselves.” She reports seeing all the players “from the smallest to the largest” growing in self confidence alongside their football skill. “The La Nuestra players are truly revolutionary,” she smiles with pride.
For many players, La Nuestra isn’t just a club; it’s a second home. Most have been part of the family for years, forging deep bonds within the tight-knit community. Luciana Martiarena, 20, has been a player at the club since she was 9 years old. We chatted to her a little about what makes the experience so special for her, and her teammates.
How did you find out about La Nuestra?
Since I live in front of the field, I always saw the girls training from afar. One day my sister, who had been before, invited me to join. I went, but more for her because I was not a soccer fan at the time. But soon she transmitted everything about football: her knowledge, but also her passion! Her friends became like my older sisters; I felt very special. At first there were no other girls playing…then suddenly they started coming. It was beautiful. I started meeting new people and having teammates to chat and laugh with.
Who is your football hero and why?
I have several, but I’ll choose my sister Any. I think it has to do with the passion she plays with: she truly loves football. Last year she was pregnant and she couldn’t wait to play again – in fact, she returned just three weeks after having her baby. She’s now one of the coaches at La Nuestra and that makes me admire her even more.
What has been the most impactful support that your coaches or teammates have been able to give you?
I’m not going to say that today I feel super empowered, with self-confidence for everything, because I feel like I’m still working on myself. But I do feel that my coaches, my teammates were an important pillar in my life to be able to learn who I am, without feeling ashamed. I always felt that living in my community was a weight that I carried, that it was wrong. To be able to understand that everything I feel and who I am is okay. Yes, it was a beautiful healing process.
What has being part of La Nuestra meant to you?
For me, being part of La Nuestra means a lot. It would have been difficult to go through situations in my life without a support group, a listening group, a family like them. I don’t know if there are particular words that represent what La Nuestra means to me, but I’m sure they are associated with love, family, happiness and football.
La Nuestra Fútbol Femenista has been a participant of our Breaking Limits Program with Rexona (also known as Sure, Degree or Shield) since 2022.
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