Junior girls’ soccer league launched
With there are few opportunities for girls younger than 10-years-old to participate in competitive soccer, UWC has launched an initiative which targets the grassroots development of the women’s game.
She-Bobo at UWC – a soccer league established exclusively for girls under-8 and under-10 - was officially launched on Friday September 30.
South African Football Association president and UWC alumnus, Dr Danny Jordaan, said the league’s launch could not have come at a better time. “It is a project that we are certainly delighted about and will support,” he said.
“It’s in the context of us making a bid for the Women’s World Cup in 2027. We are going to launch our intention to bid and then a full bidding process will be outlined by FIFA … around the time that we will see the launch of She-Bobo. It is indeed a wonderful initiative,” he added.
Dr Jordaan added that many players were UWC alumni.
“UWC has made its contribution. More than 15 of our national team players come from UWC – both in terms of sport and education. Many of them are graduates and it’s no wonder that 80% of the Banyana team are graduates. It is something we encourage. We hope these girls that start at an early age will eventually enrol at the University to continue their studies. This is one of the most important things: sport and education, and not a choice between a sporting career and having an education.”
UWC rector and vice-chancellor - and himself a notable soccer alumnus - Professor Tyrone Pretorius added: “It is our hope that She-Bobo becomes the blueprint for how universities around the country can engage communities through sport and become the drivers for social change as the anchor institutions in our society.
“As we celebrate our heroes as the WAFCON champions, we welcome the new cohort of future stars gracing our sporting fields in the She-Bobo at UWC league. We will be watching with great interest the progress of these little superstars, from goals to graduation gowns.”
She-Bobo at UWC will include soccer clubs in neighbouring communities and across the metropole to play in a league of their own in 2023.
On Saturday October 22, UWC will present a showcase football festival where girl soccer players from 10 clubs will participate in a day of soccer fun at the UWC Stadium.
The league is the brainchild of UWC media and marketing manager, Gasant Abarder – off the back of the University already being a hub for women’s soccer.
UWC is home to a senior women’s football side that finished third in the Hollywoodbets national football league in 2021 and won the prestigious 2021 Varsity Football tournament in the same year.
Their alumnae include Thembi Kgatlana, a former African Women’s Footballer of the Year, who played European Champions League football and who scored South Africa’s first ever goal in a women’s World Cup.
The UWC stadium playing surface is PSL-approved and the university will provide playing kit and equipment, facilities, security, infrastructure, coaching workshops, referees, transport, meals and refreshments.
“We believe that creating a platform for junior girl footballers is an investment in young girl children,” said Mr Abarder.
“We want to be a game changer as a catalyst for social change and a conduit to the girl child realising her full potential – from excelling on the playing field to eventually graduating from UWC as a well-rounded citizen of the world.
“At UWC, we know full well how talented girl footballers are in a league of their own. We want to be their springboard for a whole new world that connects possibilities.”
