Two female soccer coaches and former professional soccer players from the United States, Maren Hendershot McCrary and Christina Murillo Sanchez, visited Montenegro on October 17-21, 2022, as part of the State Department funded program “Empowering Women and Girls to Become Leaders through Sports,” which was facilitated in partnership with the local Montenegrin soccer club “Breznica.”
During their dynamic four-day tour, the coaches travelled across Montenegro, visiting Cetinje, Mojkovac, Berane, Pljevlja, and Podgorica. Through interactive sports clinics and follow-up conversations with the girls, as well as presentations at the American Corners in Cetinje, Pljevlja, and Podgorica, the coaches shared their soccer skills and inspirational life stories with more than 115 girls. They also met with local coaches, sports clubs, and government employees to share what they’ve learned through playing and coaching soccer in the United States, including how best to empower women and girls to take on leadership positions in sports.
On Thursday, October 20, Ambassador Judy Rising Reinke Ambassador Reinke visited the sports clinic in Podgorica to observe the training in action and to reiterate the importance of empowering women and girls through sports.
