Visa, a global leader in digital payments, has announced the winners of the inaugural “She’s Next in Football” program in Saudi Arabia, held in partnership with Saudi Awwal Bank and AC Milan Women. The initiative spotlights the Kingdom’s most promising women footballers and marks a major step in advancing female talent in sports through mentorship, professional training, and international exposure.

Fatima Alsenan was named the overall winner and will travel to Milan for a two-week “Training with the PRO” experience at the PUMA House of Football, training alongside AC Milan Women’s professional players and coaches. Zainab Alhomidi secured the runner-up position and will enjoy an exclusive VIP visit to AC Milan’s training grounds.

Finalists were evaluated based on their football skills, leadership potential, and dedication to the game. The judging panel included representatives from Visa, SAB, and Saudi football icon Farah Jefry, who also serves as the program’s ambassador.

“Programs like She’s Next in Football show us what’s possible when ambition, talent, and opportunity come together. What sets these young women apart isn’t just what they do. It’s how they think with resilience, focus, and a willingness to grow. That mindset is exactly what She’s Next is all about. Through partnerships with SAB and AC Milan Women, we’re not just creating opportunities, but building ecosystems that empower women to lead, inspire, and shape their communities. It’s a model that works across sectors, and one we’re proud to champion as part of Saudi Arabia’s inclusive growth journey,” said Ali Bailoun, Visa’s regional general manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.

Lama Ghazzaoui, chief financial officer at SAB, said: “When women are given meaningful access to opportunity they rise, not only as athletes but as changemakers.” 

This partnership is about more than football, it is about creating a space for growth, confidence and ambition to take root. As the chair of BALANCE, SAB’s employee diversity program, we strive to promote gender diversity in the workplace and the marketplace. We are also dedicated to contributing to a more inclusive future for sports in the Kingdom by supporting initiatives that expand opportunities for training, mentoring, and developing female talent, ultimately transforming it into professional capabilities.”

Elisabet Spina, AC Milan head of women football, said: “At AC Milan, in collaboration with SAB and Visa, we are proud to support these young women and accompany them on their journey of growth, both on and off the pitch. We are very pleased to welcome Fatima Alsenan to the PUMA House of Football, where she will begin a high-level growth journey within a club whose prestige is globally recognized, and in close contact with top-tier professionals.”

The Singapore-headquartered EtonHouse International Education Group has expanded into Saudi Arabia with the launch of EtonHouse International Education Arabia.

In partnership with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, it will launch two purpose-built campuses in Granada, Riyadh in September.

The first school is EtonHouse International Pre-School, a Reggio Emilia-inspired bilingual preschool for children aged 18 months to six years, designed to nurture early curiosity through inquiry and play.

The second is a K–12 international school offering a full academic pathway through to IGCSEs and A-Levels, built to support long-term, future-ready learning.

The campuses represent a major milestone in Saudi Arabia’s education transformation, being the first Reggio Emilia-inspired schools, bringing world-renowned pedagogies, bilingual immersion, and community-focused design into a local context deeply aligned with Saudi cultural values and Vision 2030.

EtonHouse’s two new campuses feature thoughtfully curated learning environments inspired by Saudi Arabia’s rich history, culture and landscapes, all rooted in the Reggio Emilia approach in the early years and primary.

At the pre-school, children will explore open-ended, inquiry-driven spaces including a media and light studio, indoor playground, atelier, and piazza designed to foster creativity and collaboration.

At the international school, older students will benefit from expanded facilities that include a swimming pool, a science lab (Living Lab), and an outdoor football field, supporting both academic and physical development.

Examples of EtonHouse’s unique learning spaces include:

• The Elemental Landscape, where children explore desert and oasis environments using microscopes, clay, and digital tools to spark scientific thinking and ecological awareness.

• The Architecture Space, inspired by Saudi heritage, encourages hands-on experimentation with light, shadow, and structure to develop spatial and mathematical understanding.

• The Living Heritage Space, immerses children in local traditions through materials like mineral pigments, cardamom, and saffron, blending culture with creative exploration.

With more than 30 years of experience and 100+ schools globally, EtonHouse is renowned for delivering world-class education grounded in child agency, cultural fluency, and future readiness. The Riyadh campuses will offer internationally recognized programs including the UK International Primary Curriculum, Singapore Mathematics, Cambridge IGCSEs, and International A-Levels, all delivered by native-speaking educators in both English and Arabic. The school will also offer Mandarin as an additional language.

Ng Yi-Xian, group CEO of EtonHouse, said: “Our launch in Riyadh is a natural evolution of EtonHouse’s mission to offer world-class, inquiry-based education rooted in local relevance. Saudi Arabia is investing boldly in its youth, and we are proud to contribute by creating schools that combine global excellence with the cultural values and ambitions of the Kingdom.

These campuses will not just serve students, but inspire a generation of learners who are confident, multilingual, and future-ready.”

In line with EtonHouse’s commitment to whole-child development, both schools will place strong emphasis on emotional well-being, life skills, and personalized learning pathways.

Parents in Riyadh can book a school tour on the group’s website to experience Riyadh’s first EtonHouse campus and register for the 2025/2026 academic year.