Local women empowered through football
“The first Friendship Cup was held in 2017. However, the tournament was interrupted for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Footballers took to the field when the annual Friendship Cup was held at the Italian Club in Bedfordview.
Hosted by Olympia Football Club in collaboration with Durban Schools Football Association on October 14, this year marked the fifth edition of the tournament.
The guest of honour was former Banyana Banyana coach and SAFA technical director Fran Hilton-Smith.
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She spoke to all participants giving them words of encouragement.
Teams that participated in the U15 age group included Mito Stars FC (Soweto), Blue Birds FC (Alexandria), Castleview FC (Germiston) and DC Footstars (Durban).
Teams that participated in the seniors age group included Olympia FC (Bedfordview), Durban Schools (Durban), Rietvlei Soccer School (Jhb South) and Tembisa Home Defenders FC (Tembisa).
Stef Crasso of Durban Schools Football Association described this year’s event as being very successful with lots of team spirit and camaraderie.
“The first cup event was held in 2017. The tournament was interrupted for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Crasso.
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The winner in the senior’s category was Tembisa Home Defenders followed by Rietvlei Soccer School in second and Durban Schools in third.
In the U15 age group, Castleview FC took first, Blue Birds FC claimed second and Mito Stars FC third.
The top performer was Ronnel Donnelly of Durban Schools.
Awards, medals and trophies were presented to the teams and players by Hilton-Smith.
Crasso said the objective of hosting the tournament was to bring female footballers from different walks of life and socioeconomic backgrounds together so that they could play the sport they had a common love for.
He said the importance of hosting tournaments such as the Friendship Cup is to ensure female football can grow to be as popular as netball and hockey.
Crasso said the cup would be played in Johannesburg Cape Town and Durban next year.
