“Empowering Women’s Football: Aintzane Encinas on Leadership, Equality, and the Future of the Game”

iSportConnect’s Taruka Srivastav had a chat with Aintzane Encinas, former international football player, current ambassador of LALIGA and founder of Tiximist Foundation to find out about how she is giving back to the game and empowering women’s football.

Can you tell us a bit about your career in football and how it led you to become president of the Tximist Foundation?

My career in football started at a very young age. I have always been passionate about sport and I found in football a way to express myself and grow both personally and professionally. I started as a player in local teams, then at Real Sociedad as a professional player and, during this time, I discovered my passion for sports management and coaching. As I progressed in my career, I became aware of the lack of opportunities and support women faced in this field. This prompted me to found the Tximist Foundation, with the aim of creating a space where women can develop and lead in football, promoting equality and empowerment.

What inspired you to focus on empowering women’s football through the Tximist Foundation?

What inspired me was the realisation of the opportunity gap for women in all fields globally. During my career, I witnessed the barriers women face in accessing quality coaching, adequate resources and, most importantly, visibility. I wanted to change that, and the Tximist Foundation was born as a response to that need. We want to give women the tools and support they need to reach their full potential and be recognised for their talent and dedication.

What is the main mission of the Tximist Foundation and how does it aim to impact women’s football?

The main mission of the Tximist Foundation is to promote women’s equality, leadership and empowerment using football as a vehicle. We want to create an environment where women can fully develop, whether as players, coaches or leaders within the sport. Our impact is based on providing access to education, resources and opportunities that were previously limited or non-existent, helping to build a solid foundation for the future of women’s football. It is based on generating referents in giving visibility with campaigns that help us generate awareness and support for girls and women.

What are the biggest challenges currently facing women’s football, both locally and globally?

The biggest challenges include the lack of investment in infrastructure and specific programmes for women, social inequalities, lack of training, poor media coverage and lack of role models. At a global level, challenges include the high drop-out rate from sport at an early age, poor access to resources and football (even more so for girls) and the consolidation of competitive and sustainable women’s leagues, while at a local level it is about generating interest and support from the grassroots, from young players to clubs and federations, mentoring, training and leadership.

How does the Tximist Foundation address these challenges?

The Tximist Foundation addresses these challenges on multiple fronts. We work on the creation of training and development programmes for female players and coaches, we collaborate with clubs and schools to promote the inclusion of women in their structures, and we organise events that make female talent in football visible. We also strive to increase the media representation of women in sport, which is key to changing public perception and generating more support.

Can you describe some of the key programmes or initiatives that the Tximist Foundation has implemented to support women in football?

Our main event is the TXIMIST CUP, an international tournament for clubs invited for their work for women’s football, where we compete in 3 categories: U14, U17 and LEGENDS. As you can see, this is the age group with the highest dropout rates and a category for the recognition and generation of referents. In addition to this, one of our key programmes is training for girls and boys with our experienced methodology and international training, in which we offer training in leadership, sports management, coaching and personal development to people who wish to take on leadership roles in football. We also have the She Leads Congress, which connects professionals from the world of football such as sports directors, managers and experienced coaches, sharing their experiences and generating knowledge. We are a Foundation that provides a platform to showcase talent, promoting inclusion and gender equality in sport.

How do you ensure that these initiatives reach and benefit young women and girls from diverse backgrounds?

We ensure that our initiatives reach a diverse audience through partnerships with schools, sports clubs and national and international organisations. We offer scholarships and financial support to ensure that girls and women from the most vulnerable backgrounds have access to different activities and materials. The Foundation works actively to adapt to local needs and to contribute to the developmental needs of girls and boys.

What role do mentoring and role models play in your programmes and how do you involve successful athletes in your initiatives?

Mentoring and role models are central to our programmes. We believe that young girls need to see real examples of women who have achieved success in football to motivate them to believe in their own abilities. We involve successful sportswomen in our initiatives by inviting them to participate as mentors, speakers and coaches in our programmes. These women not only bring their experience, but also inspire and guide future generations.

How important is collaboration with other organisations, clubs and institutions in achieving the Foundation’s goals?

Collaboration is essential to the success of the Tximist Foundation. We work hand in hand with different partners, sports clubs, educational institutions and other organisations dedicated to women’s empowerment to expand the reach of our initiatives and ensure they have a lasting impact. We believe that only through strategic partnerships can we create a strong and sustainable ecosystem for women’s football. One of these examples is the collaboration we have with Pixellot, a company that has allowed us to bring the tournament’s footage into homes worldwide, providing visibility and global access to women’s sports.

Can you share any success stories or examples of how your work has had a tangible impact on women’s football?

A clear example of the tangible impact of our work is the Tximist Cup, an international tournament that has allowed more than 10,000 players from different countries to not only compete, but also live their dreams and experience football on a whole new level.

The players not only have the opportunity to compete in a high-level tournament, but also to connect with other players from all over the world, which broadens their horizons and shows them that their dreams in football are achievable. The Tximist Cup is not just a tournament, it is a platform that helps players build confidence, establish international links and, above all, believe in their future in football.

Another success story was shared at this year’s ‘She Leads’ conference. The case of a girl from India who came to receive training as a coach that changed her life. In India, access to sport and even the voice of women is not heard. When she was able to get training, she left the fate that awaited her of getting married at 15, travelled the world as a coach in different places and formed her own platform to help other girls in the same situation in her region. These are things that demonstrate the transformative power that football can have when given the right opportunities. The power of having role models, of seeing that there are other women who are doing it and that it is possible to do it.

How do you measure the success of your initiatives?

We measure success through various indicators, such as the number of women and girls participating in our programmes, the increase in the number of women in leadership roles within football, and the impact on public perception of women’s football. We also collect testimonials and conduct regular evaluations to adjust our strategies and ensure that we are meeting our objectives.

What are your long-term goals for the Tximist Foundation and where do you see women’s football in the next decade?

In the long term, our goal is to establish the Tximist Foundation as a global benchmark for women’s empowerment in football. We want to expand our programmes internationally and continue to influence sports policies to include more women at all levels of football. In the next decade, I hope to see more girls and women enjoying the sport they love.

How do you plan to adapt the Foundation’s strategies to keep up with the changing landscape of women’s football?

We are constantly assessing the landscape of women’s football and adapting our strategies accordingly. This includes incorporating new technologies to improve training and visibility, as well as building partnerships with international organisations that share our mission. We also maintain an open dialogue with players and coaches to ensure that our initiatives respond to their real needs.

As a leader in this space, what advice would you give to young women who aspire to a career in football, either as players or in leadership roles?

My advice would be to never stop believing in your ability to achieve great things. The path may be challenging or complex, but passion, perseverance and commitment always pay off. Look for references, support, surround yourself with brilliant people and never underestimate the power of continuous training. Football is a constantly evolving field, and there are many opportunities for those who are willing to learn and lead with courage.