MONROVIA, Montserrado – In an effort intended to highlight the importance of educating girls, the head coach and goalkeeper of the U.S. national women’s soccer team both paid a recent visit to Liberia.

Goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris and head coach Jill Ellis spent much of their time with the Monrovia Football Academy, in a trip that was organized in partnership with the U.S. Embassy.

The Monrovia Football Academy, according to its American founder William H. Smith, is the first school in Liberia to combine formal education with professional football coaching. The school also trains girls alongside boys and Smith said it aims to achieve full gender equity.

In a press release issued ahead of the three-day visit by Harris and Ellis, MFA said the trip was part of the United States’ continuing work to empower women and ensure that girls have equal access to education, as highlighted during U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama’s trip to Liberia in June.

“We are excited to have Jill and Ashlyn in Monrovia to highlight the importance of educating girls and young women,” the statement read. “They are not only proven to be leaders on the field but also through their tireless efforts to help young women achieve their fullest potential through programs such as ours.”

Ellis, who was named the 2015 FIFA Coach of the Year, said she was excited to be in Liberia to help support the academy. She praised MFA for their effort in combining soccer with education for younger children who dreamed of becoming professional footballers.

Jill Ellis, head coach of the U.S. women’s soccer team. Photo: T. Kla Wesley, Jr.

“It was important for us to come because it is a unique idea to bring sports and academics together,” Ellis said. “I spoke with William [Smith] and I was very inspired about what he’s trying to do for the young people in Liberia. We have been fortunate to travel around the world and sports has opened many doors for us, but we are also for the academics.”

The series of events held during the three days included a training session at Blue Field, visited by Rep. Munah Pelham-Youngblood of Montserrado’s ninth district, who highlighted the importance of education and sports. She thanked MFA for its work and urged the children in attendance to take education seriously, even if they had goals of playing football professionally, as it may help them after the end of their career.

She thanked MFA for its work and urged the children in attendance to take education seriously, even if they had goals of playing football professionally, as it may help them after the end of their career.

Rep. Munah Pelham-Youngblood of Montserrado’s ninth district. Photo: T. Kla Wesley, Jr.

“Being fully educated and playing as a professional makes you complete,” she said. “Despite being the best player among your colleagues, you aren’t going to play for the rest of your life. Once you add education to your game, definitely, you will be a useful person to the society after your resignation.”

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was also in attendance at the training session and she said it was an opportunity to have Ellis and Harris as guests of MFA.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with Jill Ellis (left) and Ashlyn Harris (right). Photo: T. Kla Wesley, Jr.

“They have come from far away to educate the kids about soccer and to tell them the importance of adding education, which is very important for them,” the president said. “I hope our kids will learn a lot from them to help develop them.”

She also thanked MFA for its tireless efforts in helping develop the youth. Sirleaf urged the young players to encourage more to come on board, so as to have better youth leaders.

Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.