Green Bay, Wisconsin – Two pioneering football teams faced off on August 7th at Titletown football field in Ashwaubenon. One side, We Can Morocco, comprised of six girls in white jerseys with red highlights, was significantly outnumbered but determined to compete. The opposing team, Green Bay East High School, sporting dark red jerseys and black numbers, recently formed and tournament champions, represented a growing presence in the local landscape.
We Can Morocco’s origins are particularly noteworthy: the team represents girls from North Africa participating in American football. This pioneering effort is supported by the NFL and the Green Bay Packers, who have been instrumental in fostering the program. The NFL is actively seeking to expand interest in football globally, focusing initially on flag football, while the Packers have provided mentorship to founder Fouzia Madhouni for the past three years, continuing to supply equipment and support to other programs.
Madhouni, returning to Morocco after her initial trip to Green Bay, proposed bringing a contingent of her players with her. The Packers responded enthusiastically, and six of the Moroccan girls were able to travel. However, logistical challenges, including visa restrictions and costs, limited the team’s size.
Led by quarterback Margarita Montez, who consistently delivered on-target 30-yard touchdown passes, Green Bay East secured a 32-8 victory. While the score was a secondary consideration, the experience of playing and gaining visibility was paramount. Green Bay East is considered by coach Kominiko Sila to be potentially the first high school girls flag football team in Green Bay, and following their victory in the Packers’ tournament in June, requests for participation have been received from other local high schools.
The initiative is part of the NFL’s Global Sports Mentoring Program, supported by the U.S. State Department, the Center for Sport, Peace and Society at the University of Tennessee, and espnW. Launched in 2012, this program, encompassing the Empower Women through Sports and Sport for Community initiatives, aims to leverage mentoring and cultural exchange to advance gender equality and address disability rights. Former Packers player Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was dispatched to Morocco as part of this program.
We Can Morocco boasts more than 200 participants aged 18 to 30. “I want to impact people to impact people,” Madhouni stated, “Making an impact is like a train. It’s making people get on board with you.”
The Green Bay Packers will host a free high school girls flag football camp on August 8th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Titletown Football Field.
Contact: Richard Ryman, rryman@gannett.com, @RichRymanPG (Twitter), @rrymanPG (Instagram), www.facebook.com/RichardRymanPG (Facebook)