Be the change. Be a leader in safety and inclusivity. It starts with Violence Prevention.
The Strong Side: Making Football Safer for Everyone
Football is more than just a game; it’s a movement, a community, and a shared passion that unites millions. But to truly thrive, the game must be safe for everyone—on and off the field. The Strong Side is designed to empower clubs, athletes, and fans alike by implementing Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) programs that build resilience, enhance safety, and create a culture of respect. When the whole team plays for safety, we all win.
The program unpacked
The Strong Side is a comprehensive Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) program designed for football. It equips athletes, coaches, staff, security personnel, journalists, instructors, and fans with the skills to create a safer and more respectful environment through verbal and physical de-escalation, self-defense strategies, and proactive safety measures.
“>”>Specialised Violence Prevention Training
Tailored for each member of your Club’s community, from your fans and their families to your Leadership Teams and theirs. The Club’s ESD Street Team brings training to community centers, schools, social groups, and general gathering places within the local club area at no cost to the participants on- and off- season.
The Kick-off
Celebrating safety initiatives and engage female fans. Our Season Opener and Closer events gather female fans, their families, and allies for large-scale, news-worthy Violence Prevention Training events.
The Strong Side Alternate Jersey Week
Clubs around the world show off their support for Violence Prevention and an end to Gender-based Violence by wearing their Strong Side Team alternate Jersey across gameplay.
Gameday Safety Training
Encourage cross-team camaraderie by inviting home and away fans to participate in group trainings around the community, showcasing the Club’s efforts in reducing violence and hooliganism.
VIP Women’s Events
Regular VIP events hosted by the Club and Club Sponsors focused on creating a coveted safe-space within the Stadium on gameday exclusively for women and allies to enjoy, highlighting the Club’s commitment to the needs of their female fans and celebrating their continued engagement.
Mobile App Integration
Fans can access Violence Prevention tips, stadium maps (locating ESD-trained Safety Officers), track gamification points, and continuing their engagement with the Club and the initiative.
For Athletes
Athletes of all genders and ages participate in Empowerment Self Defens-based training designed with their specific needs in mind, building mental and physical resilience, teaching them safety techniques, and helping to prevent Gender-based Violence incidence.
Workplace safety
From Stadium Volunteers to top Club Leadership, the ESD-based workplace safety program ensures healthy communications, team dynamics, and reduces the incidence of harassment claims.
Trauma-informed Security Personnel
Train your Security Staff up with liability conscious, de-escalation focused response tactics that are effective and trauma-informed. By providing safe touch-points for your fans, you will have better control over developing situations across all stages of fan engagement.
“>”>Specialised Violence Prevention Training
Tailored for each member of your Club’s community, from your fans and their families to your Leadership Teams and theirs. The Club’s ESD Street Team brings training to community centers, schools, social groups, and general gathering places within the local club area at no cost to the participants on- and off- season.
The Kick-off
Celebrating safety initiatives and engage female fans. Our Season Opener and Closer events gather female fans, their families, and allies for large-scale, news-worthy Violence Prevention Training events.
The Strong Side Alternate Jersey Week
Clubs around the world show off their support for Violence Prevention and an end to Gender-based Violence by wearing their Strong Side Team alternate Jersey across gameplay.
Gameday Safety Training
Encourage cross-team camaraderie by inviting home and away fans to participate in group trainings around the community, showcasing the Club’s efforts in reducing violence and hooliganism.
VIP Women’s Events
Regular VIP events hosted by the Club and Club Sponsors focused on creating a coveted safe-space within the Stadium on gameday exclusively for women and allies to enjoy, highlighting the Club’s commitment to the needs of their female fans and celebrating their continued engagement.
Mobile App Integration
Fans can access Violence Prevention tips, stadium maps (locating ESD-trained Safety Officers), track gamification points, and continuing their engagement with the Club and the initiative.
For Athletes
Athletes of all genders and ages participate in Empowerment Self Defens-based training designed with their specific needs in mind, building mental and physical resilience, teaching them safety techniques, and helping to prevent Gender-based Violence incidence.
Workplace safety
From Stadium Volunteers to top Club Leadership, the ESD-based workplace safety program ensures healthy communications, team dynamics, and reduces the incidence of harassment claims.
Trauma-informed Security Personnel
Train your Security Staff up with liability conscious, de-escalation focused response tactics that are effective and trauma-informed. By providing safe touch-points for your fans, you will have better control over developing situations across all stages of fan engagement.
Who benefits?
The Community
Gameday Violence spikes are a well-documented phenomenon of sporting events, creating unsafe environments for the fans in the stadiums and, too often, their families at home. the Strong Side promotes Violence Prevention and an end to Gender-based Violence related to match-days through daily interaction and training at every level of a Club’s home community. When we are all safe, we all win.
The Fans
Fans are the heartbeat of football, creating the electric atmosphere that makes the game powerful and emotional. But feeling unsafe in stadiums can prevent many from fully enjoying the experience. By learning de-escalation techniques, exit strategies, and self-defense methods, fans can reclaim their space in the stands and contribute to a culture of safety and respect. When fans feel secure, they cheer louder, stay longer, and make football stadiums the inclusive, passionate environments they are meant to be.
Athletes
Build mental toughness and gain the tools to handle high-pressure situations both on and off the field. They will learn how to manage stress, recover emotionally, and protect themselves from potential dangers such as stalkers, aggressive fans, or abusive coaching.
Coaches
Create a safe and supportive training environment where athletes can thrive. Coaches will develop skills to foster confidence, establish boundaries, and ensure their leadership approach is free from harmful or abusive practices.
Club staff
Play a key role in maintaining a safe and respectful workplace. Staff will be trained in risk assessment, workplace safety strategies, and proactive policies to protect themselves and their colleagues.
Security personnel
Be at the forefront of stadium safety, ensuring that fans, players, and staff are protected. Training will focus on conflict de-escalation, emergency response, and effective strategies to maintain a secure and welcoming game-day atmosphere.
Journalists
Safeguard themselves in unpredictable environments while covering events. Training will focus on situational awareness, stress management, and personal safety tactics to navigate potential risks in sports reporting.
Instructors
Lead the way in promoting safety within football culture. By specializing in security and violence prevention techniques, instructors become valuable educators in fostering a safer sporting environment.
Gameday Violence spikes are a well-documented phenomenon of sporting events, creating unsafe environments for the fans in the stadiums and, too often, their families at home. the Strong Side promotes Violence Prevention and an end to Gender-based Violence related to match-days through daily interaction and training at every level of a Club’s home community. When we are all safe, we all win.
Fans are the heartbeat of football, creating the electric atmosphere that makes the game powerful and emotional. But feeling unsafe in stadiums can prevent many from fully enjoying the experience. By learning de-escalation techniques, exit strategies, and self-defense methods, fans can reclaim their space in the stands and contribute to a culture of safety and respect. When fans feel secure, they cheer louder, stay longer, and make football stadiums the inclusive, passionate environments they are meant to be.
Build mental toughness and gain the tools to handle high-pressure situations both on and off the field. They will learn how to manage stress, recover emotionally, and protect themselves from potential dangers such as stalkers, aggressive fans, or abusive coaching.
Create a safe and supportive training environment where athletes can thrive. Coaches will develop skills to foster confidence, establish boundaries, and ensure their leadership approach is free from harmful or abusive practices.
Play a key role in maintaining a safe and respectful workplace. Staff will be trained in risk assessment, workplace safety strategies, and proactive policies to protect themselves and their colleagues.
Be at the forefront of stadium safety, ensuring that fans, players, and staff are protected. Training will focus on conflict de-escalation, emergency response, and effective strategies to maintain a secure and welcoming game-day atmosphere.
Safeguard themselves in unpredictable environments while covering events. Training will focus on situational awareness, stress management, and personal safety tactics to navigate potential risks in sports reporting.
Lead the way in promoting safety within football culture. By specializing in security and violence prevention techniques, instructors become valuable educators in fostering a safer sporting environment.
The Implementing Partners
MyPwrApp
Integrated Mobile Application
A scalable, all-in-one platform for improving personal well–being and safety, with the goal of eliminating interpersonal and gender-based violence. MyPwr makes the transformative power of ESD accessible to large numbers, creating safer communities and sparking a broader cultural shift.
Assert
Athletics and Security Personnel
ASSERT Empowerment focuses on providing Empowerment Self Defense education to communities offering wide range of trainings such as child-friendly ESD classes, high risk conflict non-violent de-escalation and home/work-place defense to edged weapons defense, firearms safety training, and firearms and weapon defensive tactics
PAVE PREVENTION
“>”>Workplace Safety Program
PAVE Prevention is a social enterprise that offers guidance, education, training, and advice to companies, their employees, and the communities they operate within to proactively prevent, react, and heal from violent events.
MyPwrApp
Integrated Mobile Application
A scalable, all-in-one platform for improving personal well–being and safety, with the goal of eliminating interpersonal and gender-based violence. MyPwr makes the transformative power of ESD accessible to large numbers, creating safer communities and sparking a broader cultural shift.
Assert
Athletics and Security Personnel
ASSERT Empowerment focuses on providing Empowerment Self Defense education to communities offering wide range of trainings such as child-friendly ESD classes, high risk conflict non-violent de-escalation and home/work-place defense to edged weapons defense, firearms safety training, and firearms and weapon defensive tactics
PAVE PREVENTION
“>”>Workplace Safety Program
PAVE Prevention is a social enterprise that offers guidance, education, training, and advice to companies, their employees, and the communities they operate within to proactively prevent, react, and heal from violent events.
Join the Movement – Be the Strong Side
Violence in football won’t end on its own. Will your club be a leader in safety, respect, and real change?
Tiered Club Engagement Options
Clubs can participate at different levels, ranging from basic awareness initiatives to full-scale implementation of The Strong Side across all departments. This flexible approach ensures that clubs of all sizes can actively contribute to a safer football culture while aligning with their resources and commitment levels.
By implementing The Strong Side, clubs take a proactive stance against violence and harassment, making football a sport where everyone can thrive—on and off the field.