Briardene residents have community goals with Women’s Month event
The football and netball tournament takes place at the Blackburn football grounds.
IN a bid to empower women, embrace equality and celebrate Women’s Month, a group of Briardene Informal Settlement residents hopes to use sport as their avenue of choice.
That is why Menzi Ngidi, from the group, Briardene Community Brothers, is hosting a football and netball tournament for residents of the informal settlement this weekend at the Blackburn football grounds.
There will also be some entertainment with music, and he has encouraged the North Durban community to come out and support the event.
Ngidi devotes his free time to coaching youngsters between the ages of 11 and 19 in athletics, football and hockey.
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It was during his work with the community of Briardene that he and his fellow residents found high incidences of gender-based violence as well as drug and alcohol abuse.
“We don’t have any sporting facilities at the settlement or programmes directed at the youth and women. That is why we felt sports could be a vehicle of change, giving women and some men an outlet to play and be appreciated. We are approaching the tail end of Women’s Month, and we spread the word to the ladies of the community, and they were thrilled.
“We’ve booked the Blackburn football grounds, and there will be eight teams in both football and netball playing on the day. The day is also about promoting unity in the community and aims to foster support and solidarity. This event will provide a safe environment for young women. We also wouldn’t be able to do this without the support of our sponsors and the Independent Crisis Team, as well as Belinda Hellerle, in particular. They’ve given us the main boost to make this day a success,” he said.
Event details
The Briardene Community Brothers Sports Day takes place on Saturday, August 24, at the sports grounds on 134 Blackburn Road. The event will feature both football and netball teams with the action getting underway from 08:00 until 16:00. For more information or to get involved to support the event, contact Menzi Ngidi on 073 667 2680.
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