The Spanish top tier club Valencia CF and the United Nations (UN) organisation for women have partnered-up to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls around the world through football awareness-raising activities.

During their visit to China earlier in July, players of the Spanish club held a football day for the students of the Beijing Royal School (BRS) to spread a message of equality through the practice of football. Thirty teenage boys and girls trained, learned new skills and played a match for gender equality with the seven of the club's stars.

Roberta Clarke, UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific said: "UN Women is working to engage boys and men to become agents of change for gender equality. We know millions of fans follow the Valencia CF and we are confident that this partnership will help us to mobilise numerous supporters for gender equality not only in China but also around the world."

As part of the partnership, signed between the two bodies in May, the Valencia CF players will wear the UN Women logo on their jerseys during the 2015/16 season at European competitions. Additionally, dedicated matches and football clinics for youngsters will take place over the next four years in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Chan Lay Hoon, the first woman ever to hold the chairwoman role in the La Liga club's 96-year history, said: "In working towards a fair society where everyone is equal, my team and I are pleased to use our influence to invite more men to come on board with us to support gender equality."

Valencia CF has a longstanding history in supporting anti-discrimination and for equality initiatives. In 2013, the club produced an anti-racism video for the Fare Football People action weeks with players endorsing a message against discrimination.