Sally Hassona & Impact Academy Egypt
Sally Hassona is a sports educator, coach, and gender equality advocate, and the founder of Impact Academy Egypt, a pioneering initiative that empowers girls through sports, STEM education, and leadership training. She has played a key role in shaping national policy in Egypt, securing girls’ inclusion in the Olympic Champion Development Program and launching the country’s first national girls’ boxing program. Her work continues to break down barriers for women in male-dominated sports spaces.
With the support of a Giving Joy Micro Grant in July 2025, Impact Academy expanded its impact by investing intentionally in women as coaches, mentors, and leaders. The grant supported a blended learning approach—online coursework, in-person workshops, and one-to-one mentoring—focused on gender-inclusive coaching, leadership development, trauma-informed practice, and the integration of STEM education within sports. This approach reinforced the belief that joy, when paired with skills and mentoring, is a powerful driver of women’s leadership and strengthened Impact Academy’s commitment to long-term support rather than one-off interventions.
Over a three-month period in 2025, Impact Academy delivered workshops and mentorship sessions designed to strengthen both technical skills and leadership capacity. Activities included:
Coaching Fundamentals Workshops: Female coaches led boxing and football sessions, equipping young women athletes with the skills needed to transition into coaching roles.
Mentorship Circles: Sessions focused on communication, safeguarding, gender equality in sports, and women-centered leadership development.
Practical Coaching Labs: Participants designed and led micro-sessions for younger girls in underserved communities.
Peer-to-Peer Learning Circles: Safe spaces for sharing experiences and navigating challenges in male-dominated sports environments.
These activities emphasized confidence-building, care, and peer support—key to sustaining women’s leadership in sport.
Strengthening the Coaching Pipeline
The Giving Joy grant also supported the launch of Coach Her Lab, a core initiative to build a sustainable pipeline of women coaches and mentors. Through this initiative, Impact Academy developed:
A structured coaching curriculum supporting the transition from athlete to coach
Stipends and materials to reduce financial barriers to participation
Increased visibility for women in sports leadership in Egypt
Several trained women are now leading sessions, supporting safeguarding, and mentoring younger girls across flagship programs including Her Fight for H20, SAFE (STEM Athletes for Empowerment), and Play It Brave.
Community Impact
The program is shifting community perceptions of women in sports. Families, local clubs, and stakeholders increasingly recognize women as capable coaches and leaders, while girls benefit from safer, more welcoming spaces led by women role models.
One standout outcome is Tia Hamza, who completed an internship with the Anti-Doping Committee at the African Aquatics Championships and now mentors younger girls—demonstrating the program’s lasting influence.
Reach and Beneficiaries
The initiative directly benefited an estimated 75 individuals, including:
10 young women (ages 18–26) trained as coaches and community leaders
20 junior girls (ages 13–17) participating in sessions led by newly trained women
5 female coaches receiving professional development and mentorship
40 community members and parents reached through community showcase events
The primary impact was on women leaders, with meaningful benefits extending to girls and their communities.
Looking Ahead
Impact Academy plans to build on this momentum by launching the “Girls Train Girls” Coaching Camp, expanding women-led coaching within community programs, partnering with local youth centers, and continuing capacity building through collaborations with the IOC Olympism 365 Innovation Hub, CFLI, and Women Win.
Key lessons highlight the importance of continuous mentorship, trauma-informed approaches, and combining sports with leadership and education. With ongoing support from partners like Giving Joy, Impact Academy is strengthening pathways for women in sports leadership and empowering the next generation to lead with confidence and joy.
