Building the Future of Women’s Football in Peru

Club Deportivo (C.D.) Partizan, a women's football club in Peru, is building more than just a team; it's creating opportunities for young women to pursue their dreams, on and off the pitch.

Founded in 1965 as a men’s football club, C.D. Partizan made a transformative decision in 2018: to focus exclusively on the women’s game. For club president Michael Guzmán Quiñe, this was not simply about football. It was about changing the system, proving that sport can be a force for equality.

Michael, a former player, coach, entrepreneur, and sports manager has been immersed in the game since childhood. His motivation to lead C.D. Partizan’s new direction was deeply personal: to open doors for his daughter and for every young woman in Peru who dreams of playing the sport she loves.

“Being a father taught me that true leadership is not about winning,” Michael says. “It is about changing the rules so others can play, too. We want to show that women’s talent, discipline, and leadership can transform not just a field, but an entire country.”

Symbols That Soar 

Since its transition, C.D. Partizan has supported more than 250 young women and remains the first club in Peru to focus on all three modalities: football, futsal, and beach soccer. Each requires a distinct skill set, but together they represent the versatility and resilience of Peruvian women. The club's crest features an eagle, symbolizing feminine strength and courage, qualities embodied by female eagles who are larger and more powerful than males. The team’s name, Partizan, is also inspired by European resistance movements that fought for freedom and justice. C.D. Partizan embraces this legacy for a new purpose: creating equal opportunities for girls and young women in Peru through sport.

The club's journey has not been easy. The team began the 2025 season without proper lights at its training facility. Yet determination triumphed over limitation: C.D. Partizan won the district and provincial titles and finished runner-up at the departmental level in the Women’s Promotion League, competing across Peru's five-tier structure. Departmental champions advance to regional competition, where top finishers qualify for the national semifinals and finals, with the top two teams earning promotion to Liga 1 Femenina, the first division of women's football.

Now, with the 2026 season approaching in March, their sights are set higher, earning one of the two coveted promotion spots. The club is also competing for titles in Futsal Pro and the women’s beach soccer league, aiming to qualify for the prestigious Copa Libertadores. 

Beyond the field, C.D. Partizan is shaping a movement. The club currently supports over 50 players aged 15 to 28, many from vulnerable backgrounds. Through structured programs, players receive athletic training, mentorship, leadership development, and community support. Each session is about more than technique; it is about confidence, opportunity, and belonging. 

Nancy, 15, is one of the club’s committed players. We asked her a few questions about her love of the game and future aspirations.

Bonito: Nancy, tell us a little about how you got started in football and what brought you to C.D. Partizan? 

Nancy: I fell in love with football when I was very young, but because of financial reasons, I didn’t have the opportunity to develop as a player. I always played with my cousins, and they encouraged me to keep playing regardless of the comments. I started played more intentionally four years ago, thanks to my coach, Luis Edgar. He offered to help me, even though I couldn't pay for training. He advised me on how to improve, what I should practice, and even my behavior. Little by little, he became like a second father to me. He first trained me as a midfielder, but I wanted to be a full-back. I joined C.D. Partizan thanks to my school's physical education teacher, Professor Gamarra. He told me that someone he knew needed girls for the women's second division league, and I accepted. Throughout this time, the team has supported me both financially and in my development as a player.

Bonito: What is an important life lesson that football has taught you? 

Nancy: That despite the difficulties, you must always keep going, even if the road is hard and complicated. When you have a goal, you should do everything possible to achieve it. 

Bonito: Who is your favorite athlete and what do you admire most about them? 

Nancy: My favorite footballer is Neymar Jr. because despite injuries and negative comments, he keeps going, doing what he loves most: playing football. He was the prince who didn't want to be king.

Bonito: Can you share one of your proudest moments, either on or off the field? 

Nancy: My special moment was when I realized I was getting better. My performance improved, and I started competing with girls who were better than me. But I continue to strive to improve every day. 

Bonito: What are your goals after finishing school, and how do you see football fitting into your future plans? 

Nancy: Currently, I want to continue my football career and, God willing, play in Liga 1 Femenina with the Peruvian national team. In terms of my schooling, I would like to be a police officer or study sports science. 

Bonito: Finally, what advice would you give to other young women in Peru, or anywhere in the world, who dream of playing football? 

Nancy: Keep fighting for your dreams. Every training session counts, and what happens off the field is just as important – Sleep, schedules, routines, and diet – every detail can add up or subtract. You must always keep your eye on your goal and remember why and for whom you are doing it.

The Future Won’t Wait

Michael’s long-term vision extends even further. He is working to expand girls’ academies nationwide and to establish Peru’s first-ever Women’s Sports Village, a dedicated hub for female athletes featuring a stadium, futsal and football training grounds, accommodation, and facilities for 200 girls aged 7 to 18.

It is a bold vision for a club that started with little more than passion and belief. But C.D. Partizan’s story embodies the power of perseverance and the transformative potential of sport when it invests in women.

As the team prepares for the next season, one truth remains clear: they are not only playing to win matches; they are playing to change the game for women in Peru.