SSB Mutiara Timur: providing opportunities for girls in Papua

WSC: Who is it aimed at and how have you gone about reaching these people?

HS: The coaching program targets talented girls aged 12 to 16 who show strong potential to join a professional women’s football club or even represent Indonesia on one of the national teams. The Instagram account SSB Mutiara Timur has already gained more than 6,500 followers, most of whom are female football players.

Information about training schedules, coaching opportunities, and the academy programs in both Papua and East Java is shared through the Instagram account (in Indonesian) and through the website ssbmutiaratimur.com, which provides information in English to help promote the program to potential sponsors. Our academy program is entirely funded by donations.

WSC: Why is it so important to have this dedicated program available to girls in your community? 

HS: Many girls in their local communities receive little to no proper education. They grow up on the streets, and some parents don’t even know where their children are throughout the day. Many girls do not attend school regularly, are exposed to inappropriate language, and come from broken homes where they experience violence, neglect, and a lack of discipline and respect. Some become involved in sexual relationships at a young age, and a number of them become pregnant before turning 16. They are also vulnerable to drugs, alcohol, and violence in their surroundings.

Through football, the girls begin to learn emotional control, positive communication, and teamwork. Many quickly grow in confidence and start to show leadership potential. Older players are encouraged to mentor the younger ones. Core values such as responsibility, honesty, trustworthiness, and fairness are taught on the pitch. For many of these girls, our team becomes the supportive family they’ve never had.

WSC: What does the programme involve? What can participants expect? 

HS: In Papua, we offer training sessions 3–4 times a week. We also organize friendly matches against senior women’s teams and other football schools. The most dedicated and hardworking players - those who attend practice regularly - have the opportunity to be selected for a three-year scholarship program. This program allows them to continue their middle or high school education in Malang while playing for a reputable football club, such as Arema FC Women.

WSC: How many people have been involved so far?

HS: Since its founding in October 2024, more than 100 girls have received training at the football school SSB Mutiara Timur in Papua. Some of them attend practice regularly, even though they must walk or take local transport from far distances. In June 2025, five talented players from underprivileged backgrounds were selected to join the SSB Mutiara Timur Academy program in East Java. These five girls have been enrolled in a quality school and will play for the well-known club Arema FC Women in the upcoming season. One of our 12-year-old players has already been invited to join a U-16 national team training camp in August 2025.

In February 2025, SSB Mutiara Timur was officially registered as a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Indonesia, providing a legal foundation for the academy program. Trusted friends of coach Heidi have taken on leadership roles in the foundation, ensuring that all donations are used to achieve the best possible outcomes. Every professional involved works on a pro bono basis to keep expenses as low as possible, guaranteeing that 100% of donations go directly to the football and education program. We aim to use our God-given talents to bless and empower the girls in our care to the fullest. 

WSC: What benefits has this given them and what has the feedback been?

HS: The girls receive loving care from responsible and trustworthy dorm parents in Malang. They are provided with quality education and high-level football coaching. In the dorm, they learn respectful and responsible behavior, as well as many important life skills. They receive tutoring for their schoolwork, fitness training, English lessons, and are exposed to the international community in Malang. This helps them learn to communicate with people from different countries and understand other cultures.

The girls are also given opportunities to play in local and national tournaments, increasing their chances of being scouted for the Indonesian national teams.

WSC: What are the future plans for the programme?

HS: In 2026, five additional girls will receive scholarships for their school education and will join the other players in the SSB Mutiara Timur dorm in Malang. We will continue our collaboration with Arema FC Women and hope that many of our players will be selected for the national team and make their families proud.

We also hope that some of the girls will later receive scholarships for university studies, especially with plans underway to launch a Women’s University Football League in Indonesia. This initiative will open up more opportunities for our talented players to pursue higher education through football. 

In the future, some of our players may even receive offers to play for professional clubs outside of Indonesia after graduating from high school.