Former Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas has played a big part in the club’s work towards gender equality in all sports

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or a team that did not have a women’s side until a year ago, Porto’s rise has been rapid. The first season ended with promotion from the third division and now they are on the verge of reaching the top flight, where they would finally compete with their rivals Benfica and Sporting.

Porto are top of the northern division, two points clear with a game in hand. The champions of each regional division are guaranteed promotion and Porto are yet to concede a goal in a league game.

“Our long-term ambition for Porto Women was to provide equal opportunities and promote genuine gender equality in sport at the club,” says the club president, André Villas-Boas, the former head coach of Porto as well as Chelsea and Tottenham.