From 21st to 27th July 2025, a quiet but powerful transformation unfolded among a group of young women footballers in Ghana. Hosted by the Echoes from Faraday Project, the Mental Game Retreat 2025 brought together a small, passionate group of girls for a week-long journey of mental training, emotional healing, and personal discovery.
Held partly online and partly in person, the retreat focused on an often-overlooked aspect of sports development: the mind. While physical drills and tactical training are familiar territory for these athletes, this time the attention turned inward — toward their confidence, clarity, and sense of identity.
The retreat featured sessions on topics like mindfulness, goal-setting, stress management, and sexual health. But it wasn’t just about lectures. Through vision board workshops, movie discussions, and guided meditation, the girls were invited to dream boldly, reflect deeply, and speak freely.
One evening, they watched Forever — a sports drama about a girls’ football team navigating pride, friendship, and self-worth. For many, it was more than a movie. “It reminded me that no matter how good you are, pride can hold you back,” one participant shared during the post-movie reflection.
The session on stress, anxiety, and self-care, facilitated by Anita, also left a lasting impression. Participants were introduced to the idea that not all stress is bad, but that self-love and self-acceptance are essential tools in managing it. “Nobody is like you — and that is your superpower,” Anita told them, a quote several girls carried with them through the rest of the retreat.
A small group of five participants were selected for the residential experience, while others joined remotely. Though shy at first, many eventually found their voices, thanks to the supportive environment and relatable facilitators. One of the organisers noted, “It took a while for the girls to open up, but once they did, they really began to connect — not just with us, but with themselves.”
This year’s participants came from teams like Okyeman Girls Football Academy, Socrates Ladies, and Northern City Ladies, representing a diverse cross-section of Ghana’s women’s football talent. Most were between the ages of 16 and 18 — an age where mental support can be as critical as physical training.
Beyond the sessions and reflections, the retreat was a reminder that developing great players means developing whole people. The organisers hope to expand future editions to reach more teams, especially through schools and youth academies.
For now, though, the 2025 retreat has left its mark — not just in the minds of the girls who attended, but in the quiet shifts they carry back to their teams, their communities, and their lives.
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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
