Football is huge in Malawi, as it is around the world, with locals playing it as well as crowding around television sets to watch international games.

Earlier this month we welcomed Paige Bryant, a 17-year-old Canadian who visited us with her grandparents and cousin Stella.

Paige plays for the North Toronto Nitros Girls Under 17 team and was recently named as one of the top 60 women players in Canada for her age group – so she knows a thing or two about football.

During her stay with us Paige was keen to run football workshops to help local teams improve their football skills. Typically women don’t play football in Malawi so Paige was faced with all-male youth teams aged 12 to 17.

What started as a slightly daunting experience on day one, offered Paige the opportunity to work with these players to share her talent through various drill-training exercises and matches.

She demonstrated maturity and focus, learnt how to communicate with the players in ways that would work for them, and the teams really enjoyed the sessions that she delivered.

The workshops that Paige has started will continue next month when we welcome two other sports volunteers