Septian: “From That Moment On, I Never Treated Boys and Girls Differently When Coaching Football!”
21 May 2026
Pritttttttt!
A long whistle pierced through the roar of the afternoon crowd. In the very next second, cheers erupted across the field. Spectators rushed forward, flooding the pitch to celebrate their heroes. Amid the sea of people, Septian stood frozen for a moment, breathing heavily, his eyes shimmering with tears.
Cries of joy broke out beneath the triumphant chants of victory. That afternoon, history was written. Septian’s team had officially claimed the Girls Football 3.0 championship title after an emotionally draining battle. The narrow 4–3 scoreline reflected just how intense the penalty shootout had been.
Who would have thought that the swift feet dominating the grass belonged to extraordinary young girls? Beneath their sweat-soaked faces glowed the purest happiness. Laughter escaped here and there, but even in celebration, they upheld sportsmanship above all else. Before bursting into jubilation, they lined up, shook hands, and paid sincere respect to the opposing team that had fought so fiercely.
Then came the crowning moment. With proud, steady steps, Septian walked alongside his players toward the main podium. Under the gentle Ruteng sunlight, they celebrated the result of hard work, tears, and dreams that had finally become reality.
Growing Up with Football
At 31 years old, Septian’s life moves in a rhythm balanced neatly between the whistle at school and the laughter waiting for him at home. He carries many roles at once: a dedicated sports teacher, a husband, and a father of two. For him, every morning at school is a chance to transform the field into a space filled with energy and excitement.
“The dynamics in class are incredibly diverse,” he explained.
“My job is not only to teach techniques, but to make children fall in love with movement. Sports class should be the moment they look forward to the most.”
But once the final school bell rings, Septian often returns to what feels like his natural habitat: the football field. Running and dribbling the ball have been part of his “daily menu” since childhood. Those roots were planted deeply in Manggarai, where he grew up surrounded by dusty village fields and the raw, honest spirit of local inter-village tournaments.
The turning point in his life came in 2025, when he first heard an unfamiliar name: Girls Football. His meeting with the team from and opened an entirely new horizon for him.
“The first time I heard about Girls Football, I immediately felt challenged,” Septian recalled.
“I had a strong desire to be part of it. I wanted to prove that, with the right guidance, our girls could own the field just as brilliantly.”
Coach Septian with his players during a briefing session before a match.(Photo: Alfred Ike Wurin/Plan Indonesia)
Breaking Down Stereotypes on the Football Field
Before the program arrived, the white lines across school fields seemed to create invisible boundaries for girls. Football was considered exclusive territory for boys. The whistles, flying dust, and fierce battles for the ball were scenes girls could only watch from the sidelines.
Old stereotypes were still deeply rooted. Football was seen as too rough, too physical, and simply “not for girls.” It became a thick wall standing in their way.
“On almost every field, football absolutely belonged to boys,” Septian said seriously. “Girls had very little opportunity. We assumed they were not capable of handling such physically demanding activities.”
But Septian’s involvement in intensive training and mentoring slowly began tearing those walls down. For him, Girls Football 3.0 was never just another coaching certification program about dribbling or passing techniques. It opened a much wider perspective in his mind.
Septian came to realize that every child, regardless of gender, has the same right to run beneath the sun and chase after a football.
More Than Just Technique on the Field
Coaching a girls’ team brought Septian into an entirely different emotional journey. To him, the greatest challenge was never teaching proper kicking techniques or offside strategies. Technical skills, he believed, simply required repetition and practice.
“If it’s basic football techniques, anyone can learn them as long as they’re disciplined,” Septian said.
“The real challenge is helping them believe in themselves. Building their confidence so they feel equal and brave enough to take space on the field, that’s the true challenge, and it takes a long struggle.”
Slowly, that transformation became visible. Concrete courts and grassy fields witnessed girls who once hesitated to chase the ball now sprinting fearlessly with agility and determination. Their mentality became stronger—stronger even than physical endurance itself.
That courage eventually expanded beyond the field. Football had become a new language through which they could voice their rights. In school corridors and classrooms, Septian’s players were no longer quiet students sitting in the background. They had become pioneers of girls’ football and champions of tournaments. More importantly, they spoke confidently about gender equality to their peers.
“They’re now brave enough to stand up and speak in public,” Septian said with a proud smile.
“They often encourage their friends to understand that opportunities belong to everyone, not just one gender. Seeing them become this strong. That, for me, is the real victory.”
The D License and the Goal That Changed Everything
The turning point in Septian’s professional journey came when he earned his National D Coaching License, an official certification under the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI). The license serves as both the gateway and the mandatory foundation for anyone pursuing a formal coaching career.
Rather than focusing solely on winning strategies, the training emphasized grassroots football and football school development. Septian learned how to combine technical instruction with an understanding of child psychology in order to create training sessions that were educational yet enjoyable.
For him, the certificate was more than an achievement, it was a key that unlocked the possibility of advancing toward higher coaching licenses in the future, from License C all the way to Pro Diploma level.
“I’m deeply grateful to Plan Indonesia, RSBI, and the Adidas Foundation for making this possible,” he said.
“Opportunities like this are very rare for those of us living in the regions. Even though the training modules were challenging and not always easy, my spirit never faded.”
The knowledge he gained was soon tested on the field. The defining moment came on January 31 and February 1, 2026, a moment he says he will never forget. The Girls Football team under his guidance rose to the top podium as tournament champions.
For many people, it may have seemed like just another football victory. But for Septian, it was the emotional explosion of a long and exhausting process.
“Tears fell when I saw them lift the trophy,” he recalled. “All the sacrifices the girls made were finally worth it.”
On that field, they did not just score goals against their opponents. They defeated their own self-doubt.
Seeing the World Through New Eyes
This journey fundamentally transformed the way Septian sees his role as an educator. If, in the past, he unconsciously treated boys and girls differently in football, that perspective has completely changed.
“I now understand children’s rights much better,” he explained.
“Today, there is no different treatment anymore. On the field, they are all athletes. They all have the same right to grow.”
A Bigger Dream: Leaving a Legacy
But for Septian, the final whistle has not yet blown.
His dream has grown even bigger: to establish a Football School (SSB) in his community. He wants to create a safe space where every child whether girl or boy can learn to kick a ball and chase their dream of becoming a football player.
To girls who still hesitate, who still fear stigma or judgment from neighbors for playing football, Septian has one simple message:
“Just be brave enough to try. Every great thing begins with the courage to step onto the field. Don’t let stigma bury your talent.”
The afternoon was fading when Septian blew the whistle to end the day’s training session. By now, he had proven one simple truth: football is a universal language that knows no gender.
In his hands, football is no longer just a game, it is a tool for creating a more equal world.
Written by: Alfred Ike Wurin| Edited by: Annisa Aulia Hanifa | Photo: Alfred Ike Wurin/Plan Indonesia
