In the ever-evolving world of football for good, few names resonate as powerfully as Marisa Schlenker’s. A former professional footballer turned global changemaker, Marisa’s journey has transcended the pitch, weaving through some of the most impactful organizations in the sport-for-development arena. From coaching at the Homeless World Cup to her leadership roles with Girl Power Germany, Discover Football, and now as a program manager at the adidas Foundation, Marisa has become a mainstay in this field—an emblem of dedication , expertise and purpose.

Her career isn’t just defined by titles or affiliations but by the profound impact she’s had on communities worldwide. Whether supporting grassroots initiatives or mentoring young leaders in the IOC Young Leaders Program, Marisa’s work reflects a deep belief in football’s potential to break barriers and foster meaningful social change.

In this  interview, we dive into Marisa’s journey—her reflections on the power of the game, the projects that have left lasting marks on her, and her insights on where the sport-for-good movement is headed next.

Bonito: Marisa, your quickly becoming a legend in the sport for good realm! thanks so much for joining us on Bonito.

Marisa: Thanks! Its such a cool platform- awesome to join.

Bonito: Tell us about how your passion for football began and how you were captivated to explore the ways the game could bring about positive changes for society?

Marisa: I have been involved in football for many years and my love and passion for the game continues to develop as I take on different roles and responsibilities on and off the pitch. From a player’s perspective, when I think about the football matches and training sessions I’ve participated in, whether it’s at a pick-up with friends or training as part of a development sports workshop through to matches at amateur and professional level, I feel incredibly privileged to have had the opportunity to play football in so many different countries and with so many communities and teammates. If I have to name one moment in my football journey where I realized the ‘power’ of the game, I would have to describe my experience at the Homeless World Cup as an assistant coach of the Paraguayan women’s team. Being surrounded by players and coaches from all over the world with such diverse backgrounds and stories was eye-opening. It was one of the first times I realised that it wasn’t just about the results or the outcome of the tournament, it was about more. It was about the process and the journey the teams and organizations had to go through to get there in the first place, and it was about the moments on and off the small pitches that would contribute to further developments on an individual and community level.

Bonito: It feels that so many people involved with the Homeless World Cup come away with that powerful sentiment. Why do you think football evokes such powerful emotions with such a broad range of people all over the world? 

Marisa: Football is played in so many countries and on so many different surfaces around the world. It is a team sport in which every individual has a role to play. It’s a game with many decisions, opportunities and strategies. It’s also about a larger community, not just the players and coaching staff or volunteers, but also the fans, from the players’ family members at the local level to the supporters and fan groups. As football is still seen as the domain of boys and men in some parts of the world, it can also become a place of resistance and change for those who also want and deserve the chance and opportunities to play. Because in theory it does not take too many resources to set up a training or a game, it is seen as a game endowed with power, but this is not always the reality. At a grassroots level, where young people and adults either come into contact with play for the first time or enjoy it as such, play can bring communities together and, when played and practiced in a safe and intentional way, can also be a platform or gateway for further social and community development.

Bonito: Tell us about some of the projects you are currently working on or recently have worked on in the football for good arena?

Marisa: I am part of the volunteer team that supports the development of Girl Power Germany. We have had several opportunities to build a network in Germany through a Leadership Academy, various social leadership skills workshops and weekly girls’ soccer development programs. As a part of the larger Girl Power network, we have worked closely with the team in Denmark to build the foundation and structure of our team and programs. However, there are many actions that depend on our local context and collaboration.

Recently I also concluded a year of training as part of the Steilpass program. 

The team behind the project is phenomenal and the partnership and collaboration between the three Bundesliga teams brought a unique dynamic to the programme. As participants, we were taken on a year-long journey where we learned about the football industry, jobs, roles and responsibilities within the sector and much more. The theoretical component was reinforced by a practical project that was left to the discretion and creativity of the individual participant. The project had to take place in a football club or organisation, so there were certain requirements. A key element of the programme was the support of a mentor. I was lucky enough to learn from a manager at VfL Wolfsburg.

Bonito: Where do you see the football/sport for social good field heading in the next years? Which thematic areas will be most important to deal with and what are the big challenges awaiting sport for good practitioners?

Marisa: At the moment, it is difficult to say where the non-profit football sector is heading as it is heavily influenced by changes in broader development agendas, funding and approaches as well as movements and shifts in the football sector. In the football sector, it is of course also important to pay attention to what is happening at a professional and international level, as there are impulses, trends and movements that ultimately impact the non-profit football sector. Personally, I see climate change and environmental sustainability becoming even more important to all levels of football and, as is already becoming apparent, will be a force that impacts football at all levels and all over the world. The way in which football clubs, organisations and non-profits are able to adapt, be resilient and continue to deal with the effects of climate change will be of great importance to the protection of football.

I also see that the investment, professionalization and promotion of women’s football will continue to be a force that supports the football for good sector as both are working tirelessly to address gender inequalities and injustices. At both levels of football, the organizations or teams and institutions are committed to removing the barriers and challenges women and girls face in accessing sport and providing them with safe, equitable and quality experiences. For this to be the case, there needs to be a greater focus on creating safe and athlete and participant-centered programs that require safeguarding policies, but also frameworks, mechanisms and training for all stakeholders, including coaches, volunteers, athletes and participants themselves. Sport cannot be positioned as a development tool if it is not delivered in a safe, consistent and user-friendly way.

Bonito: Can you tell us about a moment in your football (or sport) for social good journey that touched your heart profoundly?

Marisa: From 2021 to 2024, I had the opportunity to work with a group of young social sports entrepreneurs selected as part of the IOC Young Leaders Program to develop their social sports enterprises or social organizations over a four-year period. Together with many experts and an incredible IOC team that funded and managed the program, I was able to support the young leaders in turning their ideas and concepts into organizations and businesses. They tested out their ideas, learned from the process, pivoted in many directions and it was inspiring and educational for me to be part of the supporting team. On their journey, they found out how to develop business models and sustainability plans and lead as inclusive leaders.

Bonito: Is there one colleague at your organization or who you have collaborated with who maybe doesn’t always get the spotlight that you would like to shine today and why?

Marisa: I would love to shine more spotlights on so many colleagues or other professionals I admire in this field. I will name a few and do not know if they don’t get enough attention, but I just enjoy seeing what they are doing right now and on their career path, learning from them and collaborating with them whenever possible. These include: Anika Leslie-Walker, Jackie Bachteler, Aya Noguchi and Dr. Lombe Mwambwa.

Bonito: What tremendous experience you have Marisa, so great to have you join us and I really hope we can find some good projects to do together in the future!

Marisa: Thanks so much! its great to have this unique community live!

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BIO

Name: Marisa Schlenker 

Organization (s): employed at adidas Foundation gGmBH and for volunteer work, I support Discover Football and Girl Power Germany

Role: program manager, volunteer, facilitator and coach, safeguarding in sport officer 

Favorite Football (or sport) for good organization apart from your own: I do not have a favorite, but feel inspired by so many organizations, from those working at the community level to create more opportunities and access to soccer, to those initiated through partnerships at the professional level. From my experience of working, volunteering, supporting and researching these organizations, I know that soccer can only lead to different social, economic or environmental outcomes if it takes place in a safe, inclusive and sustainable environment and the choice of partners is crucial.

Favorite Football Club: Chicago Red Stars, SC Freiburg

Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: As I already work with and support many organizations in the field of sport for development, my dream would be to see greater collaboration between existing sport for change movements and networks to achieve greater impact and develop coherent policies. The use of research, best practice and lessons learned from existing sport for development partnerships and the mechanisms within their structures, processes to share resources and conditions will undoubtedly benefit collaborations addressing complex development issues. I would also like to see more examples of cross-sectoral collaborations where those with knowledge of the specific development challenges are already involved in the program planning stages.

In the heart of Cameroon, where dreams of young girls taking to the pitch were often met with closed doors, La Ligue D’Égalité emerged as a beacon of change. Before its creation in 2022, organized competitions for girls at the grassroots level were virtually nonexistent, leaving countless aspiring players without a stage to showcase their talent or to quench the thirst that comes with falling in love with a sport. But through the vision of Petrichor and the backing of La Liga, a revolution quietly began—one that was not just about football, but about rewriting the narrative for girls in sport. More than a league, it became a movement, forging pathways for young players to step onto the field with pride, knowing that their game mattered.

For Jurian Van Den Berg, one of the driving forces behind this initiative, the key to lasting change lies in community. Petrichor doesn’t just run a league; it weaves a network, uniting teams and individuals who share a relentless passion for advancing girls’ football. This interconnected system fosters professionalism, builds local leadership, and instills the structures needed for the game to thrive—far beyond any single season. It’s this foundation that makes La Ligue D’Égalité more than just a moment in time; it is a blueprint for sustainability, ensuring that the girls who play today will inspire the generations that follow.

Jurian took a break from the pitch in Cameroon and South Africa to discuss this impressive initiative with the Bonito Platform.

Bonito: Hi Jurian, we are just so excited to have you on the platform today to discuss what we think is a very important and model initiative. Tell us about how your passion for football began and at what point did you realize its potential to make a positive change in the world?

Jurian: Thanks so much for having me to discuss the Beautiful Game! Growing up in Cameroon, Africa, football was all around from me from the moment I could walk. Soon, I started to play with the local Cameroonian kids my age and my love for the game just grew and grew. Especially playing on the dirt and sand fields of the neighborhoods gave me a unique experience with football. You don’t need pristine pitches or balls to enjoy football.

Just saying that football was around from the moment I could walk shows the reach that the sport has, not just in Cameroon, but worldwide. Positive change can start small by just forming friendships which is what happened for me. Throughout my life I realized football creates connection which gives a huge opportunity for change and that is how it became a passion.

Bonito: In almost every corner of the planet, one sees young people playing football- Why do you think football evokes such powerful sentiments with such a broad range of people all over the world?

Jurian: Football does not require a certain body build or a certain level of economic stature to enjoy. Every little boy or girl becomes equal when they start playing together, be it on the great fields in the western world or the sand pitches in Africa. All you need is a ball and four sticks for goals and you are set.

Bonito: Tell us about how La Ligue D’Egalite came about in Cameroon? It really feels like a model for how to build a successful structure for girls football in Africa.

Jurian: La Ligue D’Egalité started in 2022 when Petrichor wanted to find a solution to the fact that there were no organized leagues for girls teams in the country. The only women’s leagues are the pro leagues. However, at the grassroots level, there was nothing. Petrichor and La Liga got in contact and shared a vision to promote girls’ football and the partnership was born. The first league started with 6 teams and grew to 10 in the second edition. Now, there are teams coming from multiple regions of Cameroon, hundreds of kilometers away, to play in the league. The past editions, the categories consisted of U13, U15, and U17 and impacted 400-500 girls from different communities.

Bonito: You have a unique approach with building the league there- can you tell us about how your program is built to be successful in the long run?

Jurian: The biggest reason why it is built for the long run is that Petrichor is a community network of teams and individuals putting an importance on girls football. Petrichor is an association where teams can join so that both parties can help each other. This mutual benefit is the key to growing women’s football here because it is building structure and professionalism.  Through this structure, the league will always be finding and pulling more people who have a passion for women’s football. La Ligue D’Egalité teaches these teams and individuals what it means to run a football organization well, as well as professionalism in being on time with the right people and respecting the regulations. By growing girls football at grassroots level, the league can also be successful because more and more girls teams are professional and well run.

Bonito: Tell us about your partnership with La Liga- What role do you see big clubs and leagues like La Liga having in promoting grassroots girls football around the world?

Jurian: Big leagues and clubs obviously have a big presence all over the world just through branding alone, not to mention the actual ‘on the ground’ work that they do. Because of this, they should be the leaders of pushing topics like grassroots girls football that are still growing and need role models. In the case of La Ligue D’Egalité for example, every week a crowd of over 100 people come to the gamedays to watch. This started out because they heard a big organization like La Liga was involved that they know from Fc Barcelona and Real Madrid, and now they come back because they’ve realized girls can actually play beautiful football. Promoting and backing girls football around the world will push the game forward and take away a lot of the stigmas that sadly do still exist all over the world.

Bonito: You recently expanded the program to South Africa- tell us a bit about why you chose South Africa and how is it going there?

Jurian: The first edition of what is called the Mzansi League just finished and it was a great experience. It was really cool to provide that same joy that football brought girls in Cameroon, to girls in South Africa as well. The structure was a little different from Cameroon because this was small sided but that added a really cool dimension the games and experience as well! We chose South Africa because there were people that we trusted from both the Petrichor and La Liga sides. This project has to be done with partners on the ground which made this a logical choice.

Bonito: How does La Ligue d’egalite differ from a lot of other programs aimed at getting more girls involved in the sport at the grassroots level?

Jurian: The biggest difference is that La Ligue D’Egalité is not solely focused on the football side. The platform is a great way to educate girls on leadership, support them through troubles at home, and help in social skills. For example, in the second edition, ‘Goals for Girls’ got involved giving each team talks on having conversations on female leadership. It was one of the highlights that each team mentioned at the end of the League showing its value. Also, women’s coaching courses are given to women involved or connected with the teams in La  Ligue D’Egalité, which again shows it is not just about the football for the girls. Those female coaches have gone on to coach some petrichor teams, local academies and started their own teams. La Ligue D’Egalite is just as much a social project outside of football as in it.

Bonito: Where do you see the future of the football for social impact field headed?

Jurian: The beautiful thing is that because football is such a global industry and passion for so many people, football for social impact will always thrive in my opinion and there will always be opportunities to do good. I do think, like mentioned above, that clubs and organizations will play a big role in its future, growing their presence in different markets by creating social impact through organizations that are on the ground. It is a good match that can benefit both parties in the long run. The biggest struggle for football for social impact organizations is most often the finances and professional football organizations could be a solution.

Bonito: Jurian thanks so much for joining us today and sharing your wonderful work!

Jurian: Thanks so much Bonito Platform! The questions were really fun to answer, what a great initiative this is!

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BIO

Name: Jurian van den Berg

Organization (s): Petrichor Football Association

Role: Country Manager

Favorite Football (or sport) for good organization apart from your own: Johan Cruyff Foundation

Favorite Football Club: Sparta Rotterdam

Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: Football for Future

 

Elin Landström has built an impressive career in professional football, winning a Serie A title with AS Roma and competing at the highest levels of the game. As women’s football continues to grow, she has seen firsthand the progress being made and the challenges that remain. Beyond her achievements on the pitch, she is also passionate about making the sport more sustainable and accessible for future generations.

In addition to her playing career, Elin is an advocate for climate action and social impact in football. As an ambassador for Common Goal and Football4Future, she is helping to raise awareness about how football can be a force for positive change. She also speaks about the need for more women in coaching, emphasizing how role models play a decisive role in showing young girls that they can have a future in football—both on and off the pitch. Elin joins us today to share her experiences in the game, her thoughts on the growth of women’s football, and why sustainability and representation in sport are issues she cares deeply about.

Bonito: Elin, its such an honor to have you join us on the Bonito platform! 

Elin: Thanks so much for having me, what a great initiative!

Bonito: Can you please tell us about how your passion for football began and how that translated into your incredible journey through grassroots football clubs to some of the biggest clubs in professional football?

Elin: My passion for football began in my backyard in northern Sweden together with my two siblings. We also lived close by the pitch where the local team played and always went there to watch their games. Later on my parents brought me to the closest city, Umeå, to watch Umeå IK who were the real giants during the beginning of 2000 and that’s when I started dreaming of becoming a player in Damallsvenskan (Women’s top division in Sweden). I was lucky enough to be able to play for their youth team when I was about 14 years old and when I was 16, I did my first session with the first team. My debut for Umeå IK was actually in the Champions League and it was a dream come true. I stayed in Umeå for seven more years before moving to Gothenburg and then over to Linköping. After more than 12 years in Damallsvenskan I joined Inter Milan and moved to Italy. I spent one year in Inter before moving south and played for AS Roma where we won the league. Moving abroad was the most inspiring and yet challenging thing I have ever done. It was a journey I will never forget and always will cherish.

Bonito: What a fantastic career you have had. It also seems that growing up in Umeå and seeing the game so close was a big factor in your dreams of becoming a professional player.  What role did your coaches along the way have in your development as a player and a person? Is there one coach in particular who stands out in your mind?

Elin: I have had several coaches during my career, and they have all taught me something. The one coach that meant the most to me is Joakim Blomqvist. We worked together during my time in Umeå and without his help I don’t think I would have been able to play at the level I actually did. He gave me tools and knowledge on football but also on the psychological skills you need to build the resilience you need to perform at a professional level.

Bonito: Womens football is growing and more and more young competitive girls are seeing that it is possible to have a career as a professional player although there is still so much to be done in this arena- can you remember the moment that you realized that your dreams of being a professional football player could be a reality?

Elin: I had the, maybe unique, opportunity to grow up in Umeå while Umeå IK was the biggest club in Europe. I could watch high quality football every week and I got role models from a young age, at a time when women’s football wasn’t that visible. For me, it came
naturally that both boys and girls could become professional players. It turned out it wasn’t completely true at that moment, but what was important was my belief in it. I think this is what’s still important and there’s still a lot to be done. Making women’s football visible, making it easier for young girls to connect and get role models, will create big dreaming girls.

Bonito: Can you describe what it was like to play for both Inter and AS Roma in the Italian football league? What role do these bigger traditional clubs have in growing the women’s game.

Elin: It was a big cultural change for me to play in Italy compared to Sweden. I learned a lot during my years in Italy and I think the leagues can learn a lot from each other. Where Sweden has been creating good conditions in women’s football for a long time, the Italian
clubs are just starting, but they have completely different possibilities to make the big investments. It was truly inspiring to see from within these organisations, but I can also see how things could be done more efficiently. Big traditional clubs have a big role in the development of the women’s game and sharing experiences and ideas between clubs, leagues and countries will speed up the growth to unimaginable levels.

Bonito: Both in Sweden and Globally, there is a shortage of female coaches and technical staff despite the game growing at such a rapid pace- how can we encourage more girls  and create the conditions necessary for them to stay in the sport and continue as coaches and staff? It seems that this is vital also when we discussed earlier that role models can be the reference point to believing one can have a future in the game.

Elin: This is a simple but yet complicated question. We need to find out what the girls and women need in terms of conditions to be willing and able to stay, or get in to the coaching and staff of football. I don’t think we should only focus on previous professional players, there are plenty of intelligent women out there who could be excellent coaches without a professional career as a player. With that said, I find it important to make bigger investments on an educational level, to make it accessible for women. There is also a need of investment in time, where this education and investments are being directed to the right group.

Bonito: You retired from football last year, can you tell us a bit about your next career and also your role on the commercial supervisory board at FIFPRO?

Elin: I was studying law during my career and have a master’s in law and sports law. Now I find myself a legal associate at a law firm in Umeå, Ahlgrens Advokatbyrå. I am still engaged in football through the board of Spelarföreningen (Swedish Players Union) and FIFPRO, and I am very grateful to be able to keep working with the areas I find interesting, law and sports. Through FIFPRO and Spelarföreningen I get to keep strengthening and securing the rights of players, which I find really inspiring.

Bonito: At AS Roma, you took part in a unique sustainability campaign where the club went directly to the supporters to decide which social issues were most important for the club to address in its sustainability strategy- can you tell us a bit about that experience and why its so important for a club to listen to its members like that with regards to the pressing needs that local communities are experiencing?

Elin: Sometimes campaigns and initiatives can tend to not actually reach the targeted group, and might even disconnect the organization from it. By listening to the members of the club, who they wanted to reach, I think the members found the campaign more authentic and targeted to them. By connecting in that way, it may be easier to then present new initiatives and help the members to take better decisions, in this case regarding sustainability. The starting point of these matters are very different around the world, and also within Europe. I think its important to make it easier for everyone to take good decisions for themselves and our planet, but it must start at a level that seems doable for the individual.

Bonito: Could you give some advice to grassroots football clubs who want to be more inclusive and grow womens football- what are some of the most important steps that a club director can take to ensure conditions are right for young girls to become passionate football players for life?

Elin:I think the main point here is “for life”. The debate is often stuck at how to create more and better professional players, but I don’t think that should be the objective as a grassroots football club. By creating an inclusive environment where as many kids as possible is
felt seen, we are giving them the opportunity to become passionate football players for life. This will probably strengthen the level of professional players in long term, but more important is that all the kids get to find the love of football.

Bonito: Thanks so much Elin, its been an honor to have you join us on the platform. Such a wonderful career and we look forward to following your next career and hopefully collaborating on some projects together!

Elin: That would be great. Thanks so much for welcoming me to the Bonito community.

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BIO
Name: Elin Landström

Organization: Ahlgrens Advokatbyrå (Legal Associate), Spelarföreningen (Board member), FIFPRO (Commercial Supervisory Board), Common Goal/Football4Future (Ambassador), We Play Green (Team Player)

Favorite Football Club: Umeå IK

Dream sport for good organization that you would love to collaborate with on a project: I’m always open for collaborations where sport and climate issues are being connected.