Programs
Soccer is just the beginning.
The Shine is a soccer team and a network of support for girls and adult women to help them reach for their dreams.
Competitive Play
Playing sports helps women and girls protect their physical and mental health, develop teamwork and social skills, and build relationships and resilience to overcome trauma. Our coaches emphasize whole-player development and positive coaching to support team and individual growth. We compete in the Houston Women's Soccer Association, practice once a week, and participate in skills development clinics and local tournaments.
The Shine's soccer programming fills a critical gap in the grassroots soccer ecosystem by providing access for teenage girls and young adult women.
Scholarships and Educational Support
Education is vital for our players' success on and off the field. Many of our players were too old to attend high school by the time they arrived in Houston as refugees, and had to begin working right away. Friends and family in the Shine community raised funds for scholarships to Houston City College's intensive English program, as well as vocational training.
Foundational Support
Research shows that girls and women drop out of sports because of responsibilities at home, difficulty getting to practice, the stress of difficult work schedules, and a lack of financial support for league and equipment fees. Through mentor relationships and partnerships with Dynamo Dash Charities, Houston Furniture Bank, and the Afghan Student Association at University of Houston, we support Shine players in building young adult lives that include the benefits of sports.
Women's Leadership
Soccer in America – and around the world – needs more women as players, coaches, referees, officials, and in club management. One of the reasons programming for refugee girls and women is behind our male peers is because of a lack of female coaches, so we're a training ground to develop women leaders in the game. We support internships in coaching, player support, refereeing, and translation, and are developing a bench of grassroots coaches.
"Because of the Houston Shine, not only I, but all of my teammates have been able to believe in our dreams again."
Rabia Yaqobi, Team Captain