Breaking Limits, Scoring Goals – How Girls Got Goals Empowers Young Athletes
Article written by Kalista Chubb (Girls Got Goals Referee)
Jamestown Community Center’s Girls Got Goals (GGG) program has served female-identified athletes for over 20 years, shaping their development, skills, and friendships on and off the field.
The sound of the whistle blew at Longfellow Elementary, and cheers broke out. Fans of Cesar Chavez Elementary’s Phoenix soccer team swarmed the field, congratulating the young players who had just won Jamestown Community Center's Girls Got Goals 2025 season. The girls grinned as the big golden trophy was handed to them for winning a close game against the Longfellow Capybaras.
Tears of emotion were shed on both sides that day. Weeks of training and games had led to these final moments of the Elementary Girls Got Goals season. There’s a reason soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with hundreds of millions of players — but as the GGG players know, it’s more than just a game. At this all-girls youth soccer program, the sport becomes a way for girls to be physically active, build friendships, and develop skills like teamwork, focus, and confidence.
What began over 20 years ago, when middle school girls expressed a desire to play soccer in their own league has only expanded. The Girls Got Goals program now consists of two divisions — elementary and middle school — where schools from across San Francisco compete. In 2025 there were 12 teams and 140 players across 7 school sites. Girls Got Goals is led by Jamestown’s Sports Director, Ariel Esqueda, who aims to cultivate sportsmanship, skill development, confidence, and a love for the sport.
“You learn a lot of new skills, and you get to meet a lot of new people,” said Nyella, a rising ninth grader and former goalkeeper in the middle school division.
Sports have been shown to improve development and quality of life for female athletes. According to the Women's Sports Foundation, “Girls and women who play sports have higher levels of confidence and self-esteem and lower levels of depression.”
However, there are significant barriers preventing girls from low-income immigrant families from participating in sports. Whether it’s the cost of organized leagues, a lack of inclusive spaces, or harmful gender stereotypes, these challenges limit access to the joy, connection, and personal growth that sports can provide. The Girls Got Goals program was created to change this.
The Girls Got Goals philosophy gives girls experiences to not just become better soccer players, but also to learn important skills. Celebrating with teammates, choosing the right pass, analyzing the field, learning from mistakes, and communicating with their team are just some of the things players find themselves doing every game day. “You learn a lot from being on a team,” Nyella, the BVHM goalkeeper, said.
The experiences players gain from the program align closely with the CASEL framework — an evidence-based model that supports social and emotional learning (SEL). Through teamwork, communication, and perseverance on and off the field, players build the five core SEL competencies outlined by CASEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
“I learned a lot of patience, and that not everybody’s gonna think the way I think,” said Nyella about her experience with GGG. “I think I can use a lot of the patience, teamwork, and confidence that I learned in Girls Got Goals in later work, like in high school and college.”
Nyella reflected on the games she played with her team. When asked what she looked forward to every game day, she said, “Seeing how me and my team are so in sync with each other. How we work well together, and how I see in my teammates — and they see in me too — how we grow in each game. And just, like, the thrill and adrenaline we give each other.”
The coaches, players, referees, site managers, and parents all work together to ensure a safe, enjoyable environment for the girls to play the greatest sport in the world. The GGG community is unparalleled. On game days, the sidelines are buzzing with energy, exploding with cheers from spectators, coaches, and players.
While the program offers valuable opportunities for learning and personal growth, it is, first and foremost, a fun, inclusive space where girls can enjoy playing soccer and building friendships.
Camila, a defender from Cesar Chavez Elementary School, described the program in a few words: “Good, happy, and having fun,” she said.
Zaria, a forward for BVHM in the elementary GGG division, described how she felt when she scored goals: “Good, proud of myself, exciting,” she said.
“Exciting” is definitely one of the words to describe the Girls Got Goals program. The 2025 elementary league season was one of the most eventful yet — almost half of the playoff games went into overtime and penalty kicks. It’s not just exciting to experience great soccer, but also to see growth, teamwork, friendship, and confidence building within the players.
“You have to put yourself out there and try new positions. Don’t be scared. Be confident — that’s all that really matters,” said Nyella.
About the Author:
Kalista Chubb is the referee for the Girls Got Goals Elementary Division and has worked with the program for more than three years. A dedicated soccer player herself, she hopes to see the league gain more resources and support so it can expand its reach and inspire even more young athletes. She plans to keep playing soccer in college, and her many interests and potential future pursuits include journalism, sports advocacy, economics, and geography.