Game-Changer: Shahnaz Yari’s Bold Mission to Empower Iranian Girls Through Football

From a Childhood Dream to a National Mission

For Shahnaz Yari, football has never been just a sport. It has been a lifelong passion. Since her early childhood, the rhythm of the ball and the spirit of the game have shaped her dreams and purpose. But for a woman in Iran, turning that love into a profession, and even more, into a movement, takes resilience, vision, and fierce determination.

Born on September 11, 1978, Yari’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Today, she stands as one of the most influential figures in Iranian women’s sports. With an extensive career as a player, coach, and founder of her own academy, Yari has become a symbol of change, perseverance, and hope for thousands of young girls.

Creating a Safe Haven for Girls Who Dare to Dream

In a country where women’s participation in sports often faces cultural and logistical challenges, Yari dared to dream differently. She founded the Shahnaz Yari Futsal and Football Academy in Tehran, the first and only specialized academy for girls in Iran that offers professional training from grassroots to elite levels.

What sets her academy apart is not just the quality of its training, but its heart. Shahnaz welcomes girls from rural areas, small towns, and underprivileged communities, often offering free training and personal support to those in need. Her academy is more than a training ground. It is a sanctuary of empowerment.

Currently, the academy runs three active branches in Tehran, and Shahnaz is already working on expanding its reach to other cities and neighboring countries. Her ultimate goal is to build a new generation of empowered women through football.

Nurturing Champions from the Ground Up

Yari’s impact goes beyond her local community. Several players trained in her academy have gone on to represent Iran’s national futsal and football teams in youth and junior categories. These young women, many from humble beginnings, are now wearing the national jersey. This proves the power of opportunity and guidance.

Shahnaz believes that education is the foundation of success. Her coaching style focuses on discipline, teamwork, and self-confidence. By combining professional futsal training with life lessons, she is not just creating athletes. She is building future leaders.

A Trailblazing Career on the International Stage

Yari’s coaching career is filled with remarkable achievements that highlight her skill and dedication. She served as head coach of Iran’s national futsal team and led them to third-place finishes at the Victory Day Tournament in Moscow in 2014 and 2015.

One of her most incredible achievements came in 2022 when she led the Iraq national women’s futsal team to victory at the West Asia Championship. All this happened within just 40 days of preparation. It was Iraq’s first time competing after an eight-year break. Under Yari’s leadership, they became champions. The team’s strong performance, including a 12 to 0 win against Kuwait, brought her international recognition.

In the same year, she was nominated among the top 10 women’s futsal coaches in the world by the Futsalplanet Awards. It was a proud moment for Iranian coaches and for women in global sports.

A Coach, a Mentor, and a Fighter

Yari’s long list of achievements also includes coaching university teams to national victories and leading clubs like Saipa FC and Nami No FC to top finishes in Iran’s Premier League. In the 2020 to 2021 season, her team won 16 out of 18 matches. This reflects her smart strategies and leadership skills.

But what truly makes Shahnaz Yari inspiring is her role as a mentor. She spends time personally with her players, shares knowledge through coaching courses, and supports the growth of women’s football at the grassroots level.

Since 2010, she has also been teaching coaching courses certified by the Asian Football Confederation, helping many women across Iran become qualified coaches.

Breaking Barriers and Seeking Global Collaboration

While Yari has achieved a lot in Iran and across the region, she now wants to take her mission beyond borders. She is actively seeking international partnerships and collaborations with academies, clubs, and sports organizations. She is especially interested in working with countries that believe in women’s empowerment and equality in sports.

By forming these connections, Yari hopes to bring more attention and support to female athletes in Iran. She believes the world needs to see the hidden potential of Iranian women in football and futsal.

Empowering the Next Generation of Female Leaders

For Shahnaz, football is not only about winning games. It is about building futures. She dreams of a world where every girl, no matter where she is from, can play freely, compete fairly, and dream without limits.

As she continues to expand her academy, coach new talent, and break down barriers in women’s sports, Shahnaz Yari stands as a beacon of hope. Her story proves that with passion, perseverance, and purpose, anyone can create real and lasting change.

Do follow her on Instagram

Anjali