The action is part of the “Betfera of the Month” campaign, which highlights fans who are able to mobilize and inspire their clubs through authentic and transformative projects.
Mariana’s love for Cruzeiro has been with her since childhood. But it was on social media that she found a new way to live that passion – and to help change the story of women in football. Creator of the Cruzeiro das Garotas (CDG) project, together with vice president Vívian, Mariana turned a simple tweet into a community of more than 600 women united by their love for the “Maior de Minas.”
For this inspiring journey, Mariana was named “Betfera of the Month” for October in Betfair’s campaign, as the club’s official sponsor. It all began in an unplanned way. “One day, I vented on Twitter about how hard it was to find someone to go to matches with. The post went viral, and several women replied saying they felt the same. That’s when I realized there was a real need to create a safe space for female fans,” Mariana recalls.
From that tweet came a WhatsApp group with 80 women. In a short time, the number grew, friendships multiplied, and what was once just an exchange of messages became Cruzeiro das Garotas – a project that today has more than half a million social media views and plays an important role in promoting women’s presence in the stands.
“Doing what we love, with dedication and aligned with our profession, always works. Vivi and I used our experience in advertising and management to structure CDG, and seeing how much it has grown is an immense joy. The most beautiful part is knowing this is still just the beginning,” says Mariana.
In addition to encouraging women’s leadership in the stands, Cruzeiro das Garotas also carries out social initiatives, such as Children’s Day campaigns and a special Pink October mobilization, in partnership with a member who is battling breast cancer.
For Mariana, the project is proof that football is also a place for women: “Football may not have been created for us, but we are changing that narrative. Every step shows that when love, work, and dedication walk together, the results are inevitable.”
The video telling her story and showing behind-the-scenes moments of the experience is available on Betfair’s and Cruzeiro’s social media channels and on Betfair’s YouTube channel.
The “Betfera of the Month” campaign is a Betfair initiative, as master sponsor of Vasco da Gama and Cruzeiro, created to honor fans who, through their unique stories, embody true passion for their clubs. Every month, during the Brazilian Championship, one fan from each club is chosen to enjoy exclusive and unforgettable experiences, including attending matches, VIP boxes, behind-the-scenes access, contact with players, and participation in official content produced by the club and the brand.
Betfair
One of the world’s largest online sports betting providers, Betfair is the official sponsor of Cruzeiro and Vasco da Gama. Founded in London (UK) in 2000, the company was a pioneer in offering peer-to-peer betting (Betfair Exchange) and manages a full range of sports betting and online gaming products for more than four million adult customers around the globe.
Thanks to its cutting-edge technology, the platform offers a wide portfolio of products that allows customers to bet using their own odds or the odds offered by other users. Betfair is licensed to operate online betting and other games in 19 countries, including Spain, Italy, Malta, and Great Britain. Think smart. Play responsibly. Ordinance SPA/MF No. 248.
Source: GMB
