The Danish women’s national football team played a special match in April involving 100 young people to raise awareness and reinforce the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (article 31) that focuses on a child’s right to play.

The initiative which was held at the NRGi Park in Aarhus, used the influence of the national team as a way of promoting social inclusion in football and to raise awareness of children’s rights regarding recreational activities. This specifically includes their right to an active leisure life and the importance of being part of a community.

Katrine Pedersen, captain of the Danish women’s football national team said,

“We are proud to be involved in this initiative. If by doing this we can help to create a positive change for vulnerable children through football, then that is a great achievement.

“The match involving the 100 children was our tribute to the joy that football brings to people.”

The event was developed along with Save the Children, the social responsibility partner of the Danish Football Federation, and as part of the partnership, the Danish female team will become ambassadors for Save the Children during UEFA’s Women’s Euro 2013 in Sweden.

In Denmark, 65,000 children are estimated to live in poverty which limits their participation in sport, and which prevents them joining most sports clubs.

Program Manager at Save the Children in Denmark, Lars Stilling Netteberg commented,

"Many children in Denmark live in vulnerable environments. This means that often it is not possible to take part in mainstream football, which reduces their overall opportunities in life”.