London called and The Strong Side answered

On a quintessentially autumnal English day, The Strong Side team, helmed by International Association of ESD Professionals (IAESDP) Executive Director and The Strong Side creator Lisette Brassac-Fitzgerald, alongside ESD Europe and ESD Albania CEO and head of The Strong Side Europe Gentiana Susaj, met with honorary chairman of the Middle East Association, Peter Malay, and international businessman, Martin Dushkaj, at the illustrious Royal Automobile Club (with tea and biscuits, no less. It was all very proper, very English) to introduce our global initiative and violence prevention program to football clubs and communities to the UK.  

Gender-based violence increases 31% on average on gamedays. In England alone, domestic abuse incidents soar by 38% when the national football team loses a major match. And while the statistics are striking in and of themselves, they do make one thing plain: not only is football not inclusive to everyone, it is also not safe.  

The Strong Side is a violence prevention program implemented with a research-backed methodology (Empowerment Self-Defense) that empowers every football fan, player, and staff member to feel safe, confident, and included — on and off the pitch — creating safer teams, safer stadiums, safer streets, and safer communities for all. 

While in London, our team members — Gentiana Susaj and her business partner, Julian Maloku — also met with Alan Rides, CEO of West London Chambers, the second largest and fastest growing Chamber of Commerce in London and the South of England, to discuss bringing The Strong Side to West London. After all, safer football means stronger football — culturally, socially, and financially.  

We’re absolutely chuffed to have met with new partners in the United Kingdom! (To have gotten the ball rolling, one might say.)  

And what better place to be than where the beautiful game we love so much all began? 

Media Inquiries: 
Lauren Lopp, Press & Communications Manager 
lauren@thestrongside.team | press@thestrongside.team 
www.thestrongside.team | www.esdprofessionals.org 
#FightForward | #TheStrongSide | #EndGBV