Gridiron Gems
Women's empowerment through flag football. Launched with the Cleveland Browns in Lagos in April 2025, Gridiron Gems gives girls and women coaching, mentorship and leadership training — and pathways into officiating, coaching and scholarships.
Overview
Building the next generation of women in sport.
Gridiron Gems launched over two days at the Digital Bridge Institute in Lagos: a coaches clinic on IFAF flag rules, then an opening ceremony, panels and a virtual panel with six Browns employees on amplifying women's voices in sport. More than 200 female athletes, coaches, referees and officials took part.
Since then the programme has run clinics, webinars and a summer bootcamp, worked with girls at a correctional centre, backed the women's national team, and in 2026 launched a cluster mentorship programme that pairs flag football with mentorship and menstrual health.
Programme pillars
Highlights
15–16 Apr 2025
Lagos
Launch with the Browns
Coaches clinic led by coaches including Enjuh Enabel, Cameroon's women's national team coach, followed by the opening ceremony and panels.
2025
Lagos & online
Clinics and webinars
A coaching clinic for 120 participants, a two-day virtual personal-branding webinar for 95, and a session with 50 girls at the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi-Araba.
20–21 Jun 2025
Cairo, Egypt
Africa champions
Nigeria's women, supported through Gridiron Gems, won the first IFAF Africa Flag Football Championships, beating Morocco 26–12 in the final.
24 Aug – 6 Sep 2025
BEMORE Summer Bootcamp
With the Bemore Empowered Foundation: 40+ girls new to flag football, four teams, an exhibition game and awards.
Nov 2025
Abuja
Aketi Bowl III seminar
A leadership, mentorship and hygiene seminar for girls at the national secondary school finals.
Jun 2026
Lagos · Abuja · Imo
Cluster Mentorship Programme
GCMP launched in Makoko, Durumi and Ikenegbu: six mentorship clusters, 3,700 students introduced to flag football and 1,650 pads donated with Pads for Her.
Partners
Launched the programme with NAFA through Browns Nigeria.
Broadcast and media support for Gridiron Gems.
Pad donations through the Cluster Mentorship Programme.
Co-hosted the 2025 BEMORE Summer Bootcamp.
Also supported by Alles Charis Group, Stretford Hill and Hope Behind Bars Africa.
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