Local teams encouraged to take in girl soccer players
“We need to encourage schools to revive sports in a bid to have young women participating in soccer and in the process competing with each other."
KwaThema – Young Achievers Ladies FC u-13 played to a 2-4 loss against Bocca Juniors on Friday at the KwaThema Sports Complex.
Because of the shortage of female soccer teams in the area, the team had to play with their male peers.
The teams locked horns in a friendly game to prepare for the upcoming local league games.
Young Achievers Ladies FC coach Lazarus Malatjie says even though his team lost, he is happy with their performance.
“Through the years, the girls had to learn to toughen up on the pitch by playing with the boys because there are no female teams to compete with.
“There are only two female teams in the area, Home Sweepers FC and Young Achievers, and for them to play in the league they can’t play against each other,” he says.
Lazarus says he is encouraging young female players to join their team.
“This will help us in grooming them into becoming better sportswomen and be able to join national teams,” he adds.
Springs Local Football Association (SLFA) technical adviser Mkhonza Mkhonzana says as the SLFA, they are encouraging young girls under 15 years to compete with the boys.
“At this stage, they have the same speed and endurance on the pitch.
“This is for their own benefit and pushes them to improve their skills.
“When they move to the other age groups, we encourage them to compete with the girls only,” he says.
Mkhonza says there are fewer teams in the area that are prepared to train girls because the coaches believe it is a waste of their time.
“We need to encourage schools to revive sports in a bid to have young women participating in soccer and in the process competing with each other,” he says.
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