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Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto
Regional Government signs first programme agreement to support women’s football in national competitions
Regional Government signs first programme agreement to support women’s football in national competitions
Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto
Regional Government marks start of European Sports Week with widespread participation across the nine islands and focus on mental health
Regional Government marks start of European Sports Week with widespread participation across the nine islands and focus on mental health
Secretaria Regional da Educação, Cultura e Desporto
Meeting with Azorean football associations secures consensus over this sport
Meeting with Azorean football associations secures consensus over this sport
November 13, 2026
Regional Government signs first programme agreement to support women’s football in national competitions
September 17, 2026
Regional Government marks start of European Sports Week with widespread participation across the nine islands and focus on mental health
July 21, 2026
Meeting with Azorean football associations secures consensus over this sport
News
Nota de Imprensa
November 13, 2026
Regional Government signs first programme agreement to support women’s football in national competitions
The Government of the Azores has signed, for the first time, a sports development programme contract to support the participation of an Azorean women’s football team in a national competition, with Vitória Clube Pico da Pedra being the beneficiary club. The Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport, through the Regional Directorate for Sport (DRD), explained that this programme agreement has been signed following the approval of the sport’s regulations at regional level, including the definition of the competition format and the criteria for accessing support aimed at participation in national competitions. According to the DRD, this process creates an objective and transparent framework to support Azorean women’s football teams participating in national competitions. Considering that the Portuguese Women's Fourth is an open competition, the DRD has stipulated that the Region’s support for participation in this competition will be granted to the winning team of the respective regional championship. The model aims to ensure that access to regional public funding is based on sporting merit, as determined through regional competition. The DRD also clarifies that Azorean teams competing in the Fourth National Division that neither gain promotion to the Third Division nor finish at the bottom of their league table must return to the regional competition. The result of that competition will determine which team receives support to compete at national level in the following season. The model also provides for an exceptional situation arising from the possible relegation of an Azorean team from the Third to the Fourth National Division. In such a case, two teams may be supported in the same season: the team relegated from the Third Division and the winner of the respective regional competition. In this year of transition and implementation of the new model, the DRD is awarding support to the Azorean team already competing in the relevant national league, Vitória Clube Pico da Pedra. According to the DRD, this new framework addresses a need long identified by those involved in women’s football by establishing eligibility criteria for access to public funding and by recognising the regional competition as a key factor in supported participation in national competitions. The signing of this first programme contract represents a milestone in the development of women’s football in the Azores. It paves the way for greater stability and sustainability in sports projects within this sector of the sport. The DRD pointed out that the measure also aims to help consolidate youth development programmes, increase female participation and create sustainable competitive pathways, enabling Azorean players to progress from youth teams to the national competitive ranks. As such, the DRD reiterates its commitment to the development of women’s sport and to promoting greater equality of opportunity in access to participation and competition, creating the conditions for women’s football to continue to grow and establish itself on the regional and national sporting scene.
November 13, 2026
Regional Government signs first programme agreement to support women’s football in national competitions
The Government of the Azores has signed, for the first time, a sports development programme contract to support the participation of an Azorean women’s football team in a national competition, with Vitória Clube Pico da Pedra being the beneficiary club. The Regional Secretariat for Education, Culture and Sport, through the Regional Directorate for Sport (DRD), explained that this programme agreement has been signed following the approval of the sport’s regulations at regional level, including the definition of the competition format and the criteria for accessing support aimed at participation in national competitions. According to the DRD, this process creates an objective and transparent framework to support Azorean women’s football teams participating in national competitions. Considering that the Portuguese Women's Fourth is an open competition, the DRD has stipulated that the Region’s support for participation in this competition will be granted to the winning team of the respective regional championship. The model aims to ensure that access to regional public funding is based on sporting merit, as determined through regional competition. The DRD also clarifies that Azorean teams competing in the Fourth National Division that neither gain promotion to the Third Division nor finish at the bottom of their league table must return to the regional competition. The result of that competition will determine which team receives support to compete at national level in the following season. The model also provides for an exceptional situation arising from the possible relegation of an Azorean team from the Third to the Fourth National Division. In such a case, two teams may be supported in the same season: the team relegated from the Third Division and the winner of the respective regional competition. In this year of transition and implementation of the new model, the DRD is awarding support to the Azorean team already competing in the relevant national league, Vitória Clube Pico da Pedra. According to the DRD, this new framework addresses a need long identified by those involved in women’s football by establishing eligibility criteria for access to public funding and by recognising the regional competition as a key factor in supported participation in national competitions. The signing of this first programme contract represents a milestone in the development of women’s football in the Azores. It paves the way for greater stability and sustainability in sports projects within this sector of the sport. The DRD pointed out that the measure also aims to help consolidate youth development programmes, increase female participation and create sustainable competitive pathways, enabling Azorean players to progress from youth teams to the national competitive ranks. As such, the DRD reiterates its commitment to the development of women’s sport and to promoting greater equality of opportunity in access to participation and competition, creating the conditions for women’s football to continue to grow and establish itself on the regional and national sporting scene.
Nota de Imprensa
September 17, 2026
Regional Government marks start of European Sports Week with widespread participation across the nine islands and focus on mental health
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, presented today in the city of Horta the extensive programme for the European Sports Week 2026, which will take place between September 23 and 30 under the slogan “#BEACTIVE – BE ACTIVE! Active Azores, Healthy Azores!”. The initiative will mobilise the entire archipelago with 207 events spread across the nine islands, involving nearly 13,000 participants and 167 partner organisations. For Sofia Ribeiro, “this impressive network of partners, which brings together clubs, local authorities, schools and institutions, demonstrates the vitality of the community and the firm commitment to promoting a more active Region, making physical activity accessible to people of all ages, interests and health conditions.” 43 of the planned events are organised by the Regional Directorate for Sport, whilst the remaining 164 are organised by civil society organisations. The official opening of the week is scheduled for 10 a.m. on September 23 at the Açor Arena Multipurpose Pavilion in Vila Franca do Campo. The regional programme has been designed to ensure diversity, taking the form of flagship events tailored to the specific circumstances of each island. The event includes an evening water aerobics class in Santa Maria, the third edition of "Family Water Sports" in São Miguel, the "Praia by Night" night-time run in Terceira, and the "AquAerobicDança" activity in Graciosa. The programme travels to São Jorge with the “InterJovem Trail,” to Pico via the “FitUp Trail,” to Flores with the intergenerational project “Generations in Movement,” and to Corvo, which will host a pilot project featuring traditional games and water sports aimed at the school community. “We want this week to be not just a one-off event, but an irresistible invitation for every Azorean to break out of their routine, try a new activity and discover the pleasure of incorporating exercise into their daily lives,” emphasised the government official. She spoke during the presentation session in Faial, the island that will host a Health Fair at the Manuel de Arriaga House on September 29. One of the major innovations of the 2026 edition is the strong focus on mental health, acknowledging the importance of physical activity for emotional well-being, and the creation of safer and more inclusive sporting environments. In this context, the Regional Directorate for Sport will launch the “Emotional Beacons in Sport” training programme on September 30 at the Silveira e Paulo Palace, aimed at coaches and managers. “Sport does not just work on the body; it is an irreplaceable pillar of our emotional balance, and this new programme will equip our sports professionals with the tools they need to work on prevention and support for mental health in clubs across the Region,” emphasised the Regional Secretary. With a view to giving a face and a voice to this whole initiative, the campaign features local ambassadors across the nine islands – such as Melissa Sousa, Natacha Teves, Raquel Gonçalves, João Valadão, Luís Borges, André Fernandes, José Ávila, Diogo Ávila, Sara Rosário, Lívia Carvalho and Alice Carvalho – who will take on the task of mobilising the public through their own example. The full programme is available on the Regional Government website and on its social media channels.
September 17, 2026
Regional Government marks start of European Sports Week with widespread participation across the nine islands and focus on mental health
The Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport, Sofia Ribeiro, presented today in the city of Horta the extensive programme for the European Sports Week 2026, which will take place between September 23 and 30 under the slogan “#BEACTIVE – BE ACTIVE! Active Azores, Healthy Azores!”. The initiative will mobilise the entire archipelago with 207 events spread across the nine islands, involving nearly 13,000 participants and 167 partner organisations. For Sofia Ribeiro, “this impressive network of partners, which brings together clubs, local authorities, schools and institutions, demonstrates the vitality of the community and the firm commitment to promoting a more active Region, making physical activity accessible to people of all ages, interests and health conditions.” 43 of the planned events are organised by the Regional Directorate for Sport, whilst the remaining 164 are organised by civil society organisations. The official opening of the week is scheduled for 10 a.m. on September 23 at the Açor Arena Multipurpose Pavilion in Vila Franca do Campo. The regional programme has been designed to ensure diversity, taking the form of flagship events tailored to the specific circumstances of each island. The event includes an evening water aerobics class in Santa Maria, the third edition of "Family Water Sports" in São Miguel, the "Praia by Night" night-time run in Terceira, and the "AquAerobicDança" activity in Graciosa. The programme travels to São Jorge with the “InterJovem Trail,” to Pico via the “FitUp Trail,” to Flores with the intergenerational project “Generations in Movement,” and to Corvo, which will host a pilot project featuring traditional games and water sports aimed at the school community. “We want this week to be not just a one-off event, but an irresistible invitation for every Azorean to break out of their routine, try a new activity and discover the pleasure of incorporating exercise into their daily lives,” emphasised the government official. She spoke during the presentation session in Faial, the island that will host a Health Fair at the Manuel de Arriaga House on September 29. One of the major innovations of the 2026 edition is the strong focus on mental health, acknowledging the importance of physical activity for emotional well-being, and the creation of safer and more inclusive sporting environments. In this context, the Regional Directorate for Sport will launch the “Emotional Beacons in Sport” training programme on September 30 at the Silveira e Paulo Palace, aimed at coaches and managers. “Sport does not just work on the body; it is an irreplaceable pillar of our emotional balance, and this new programme will equip our sports professionals with the tools they need to work on prevention and support for mental health in clubs across the Region,” emphasised the Regional Secretary. With a view to giving a face and a voice to this whole initiative, the campaign features local ambassadors across the nine islands – such as Melissa Sousa, Natacha Teves, Raquel Gonçalves, João Valadão, Luís Borges, André Fernandes, José Ávila, Diogo Ávila, Sara Rosário, Lívia Carvalho and Alice Carvalho – who will take on the task of mobilising the public through their own example. The full programme is available on the Regional Government website and on its social media channels.