Institute to empower female rugby players

Kwatsaduza – November 30 marked the beginning of a new era for female rugby players in Gauteng, as the Gauteng Sports Confederation officially launched the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute.
The project aims to promote and develop female rugby across the province, including Ekurhuleni.
The second vice-president of the Gauteng Sport Confederation, Moonira Ramathula, chatted to African Reporter to explain more about the initiative.

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Q: Briefly explain what the initiative is about?
A: The Gauteng Rugby Institute is dedicated to providing quality coaching in rugby specific fields, strength and conditioning, and through our partner, UXI Private Education, we will help create a career path for our players and their life after rugby.
Q: How did it come about?
A: We identified a developmental gap between girls playing rugby at school level and after school, and we wanted to create a platform to assist the girls achieve their rugby aspirations while getting an education.
Q: Who stands to benefit from the institution?
A: Matriculants between the ages of 18 to 24 who have a promising rugby career.

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Q: Most importantly, how will disadvantaged communities be empowered through the initiative?
A: Through sponsorship and partnership, we can offer full scholarships to talented girls.
Q: How do people and organisations (local teams and administrations) become involved?
A: We offer learnerships to local teams and administrators, their players will also be eligible for selection for the institute.
Q: In terms of the rollout process, how is it going to work?
A: Applications opened on November 30, are available via our social media and via our head of Women’s Rugby Development, Jaco Coetzer, on 074 189 2349 or at Jacoc@sport.uxi.edu.za
Q: Why is it important to promote and empower women to partake in rugby?
A: There is only one woman in the whole of Africa who has a professional contract, which is unacceptable. We need to empower women in rugby in order to give them an opportunity to become professional rugby players and increase the number of professional women rugby players.

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Q: Which organisations or sport bodies will you be working with to ensure the longevity of the initiative and its success?
A: We are working with Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Sports Confederation, City of Ekurhuleni and education partner UXI.
Q: When it comes to black communities, how will your department challenge the status quo that rugby is mainly for white people?
A: Rugby is a sport for all and we focus on equal opportunities. Most of the scholarships will be allocated to young girls from underprivileged communities.
Q: Are there any organisations/schools/councils you are already working with from Kwatsaduza?
A: There are rugby structures via the Valke Rugby Union, the Vuka programme and Get into rugby programmes at schools.

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