For Mathilde, football at BISP became about much more than training and competition. As a BISP Cruzeiro Football Scholar, the game gave her a community, challenged her to balance high-performance sport with the demands of the IB Diploma Programme, and became an important part of her development throughout her final years at school.

The commitment required was significant. Mathilde combined early morning sessions and training throughout the week with her academic responsibilities, learning how to manage both without having to choose between them. Looking back, she sees that balance as an important part of her experience.

Having to balance my academics with my football has been really, really good for me mentally and physically. I think it’s important to spend time doing both and finding something that you’re passionate about outside of academics.

But some of what Mathilde values most about football has little to do with what happened on the pitch. Being part of the Academy gave her a strong sense of belonging and a group of teammates with whom she could share the challenges and successes along the way.

It has brought me a really strong sense of belonging and community. It has been really important for me to play a sport and be part of a community here at BISP.

One of the highlights came at the 2025 BISP Soccer 7s, where Mathilde was part of the BISP Cruzeiro A team that finished in first place. For Mathilde, celebrating that achievement alongside the teammates she trained with every week made the experience particularly rewarding.

Her time at BISP also extended well beyond football. Alongside completing the IBDP, Mathilde became involved in different areas of school life, demonstrating the independence and commitment that came from learning to balance academics, sport and her wider interests.

Having now graduated from BISP, Mathilde is preparing for the next chapter beyond school. In February 2027, she will begin studying Business and Hospitality Management at École Hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, taking with her the discipline, confidence, friendships and sense of community developed through her years in the Football Academy.

Her story is also an important reminder for younger girls considering football: there doesn’t have to be one destination for the journey to be worthwhile. Football can be a place to compete and improve, but it can also be where you find confidence, friendships, belonging and experiences that stay with you long after the final whistle.

For Mathilde, that is what made football at BISP about much more than the game itself.

Want to hear more from Mathilde? Watch her share more about her journey, experiences at BISP and the opportunities that have shaped her along the way.
Watch Mathilde’s story on YouTube