Community soccer upliftment programmes to start

Following the recent launch of the #BetwayCares Skills Hub, Betway South Africa is excited to announce the first edition of the nationwide community sport upliftment programme is set to officially get underway with a sport administration and leadership course for community-based female sport volunteers.

Betway, in close partnership with the Futballing Girls organisation, which spearheads the Women in Sports Awards, will provide an opportunity for 16 community-based women to take part in the accredited course as part of the brand’s refined approach to community sport development.

The three-day workshop is set to take place at the Gauteng Sports Confederation Sports House in Johannesburg from February 23 to 25.

During the workshop, the selected participants will be upskilled in different areas, including financial management, marketing, leadership and sponsorship.

The course is geared at equipping each participant with the necessary training and skills needed to become more effective sport administrators within their respective communities.

Speaking ahead of the course, #BetwayCares Skills Hub ambassador and former Banyana Banyana captain Simphiwe Dludlu said she was looking forward to the start of what she believes will change the face of sport in South Africa.

“Sport in our communities has been waiting for something as innovative as the #BetwayCares Skills Hub. The full potential of community sport development can only be fulfilled with passionate sport administrators that are trained and qualified to take community sport to even greater heights.”

This programme will bring much-needed change to our communities, but, most importantly, I am excited about the future employment opportunities that this programme is set to unlock for aspiring female sport administrators,” said Dludlu.

With the #BetwayCares drive having had a positive impact on more than 30 organisations since 2018, Betway South Africa’s marketing manager, David Rachidi, said Betway was looking forward to rolling out the brand’s new approach to its CSR programme.

“The official commencement of the #BetwayCares Skills Hub marks a new and exciting chapter for our ongoing efforts to be a brand that continues to do good in our sporting communities. Coming off the back of a challenging year for sport, we believe the programme comes at an opportune time, where community sport now more than ever needs innovative thinking from passionate and, more importantly, qualified administrators, coaches and volunteers,” said Rachidi.

Speaking on behalf of the Women in Sport Awards and Futballing Girls organisation, Moonira Ramathula said the #BetwayCares Skills Hub fits perfectly with what the Women in Sports Awards has set out to achieve.

“Our Women in Sports Awards are not just about recognition, they are about holistically empowering women; hence the finalists of our administrator of the year category are being given the opportunity to attend this SETA Accredited Leadership Skills Training for Women in Sport.

For this reason, the #BetwayCares Skills Hub is a perfect match for us to partner with,” said Ramathula.