Women’s Month kicks off with girls’ football workshop
Rising soccer stars from schools across Durban were able to take their shot at impressing former Banyana Banyana players with their skills at the Girls’ Football Workshop which was held at Holy Family College as part of Women’s Month celebrations and the school’s 150th anniversary.
HOLY Family College (HFC) in Glenmore kicked off Women’s Month with a Girls’ Football Workshop headed by former Banyana Banyana players on Friday.
The training and skills session was hosted in partnership with Durban Schools Football (DSF). Showing their skills and talent on the field, the young ladies of Holy Family College, Sastri College, Durban North College and Gordon Road Girls School and a few selected district players were put through their paces by coaches Thandeka Kheswa, Veronica Phewa, Mbali Bhengu, Neli Cele and Makhosazani Zungu, who offered invaluable inspiration and training.
Stef Crasso, director of football at HFC and DSF, said valuable experience was passed on to the players by the coaches who are all retired from international football and have almost 150 caps among them. He said, “Their experience proved to be invaluable for the young athletes hoping to achieve great heights in the sport.
“Their former coach Fran Hilton-Smith, who was also the Technical Director of SAFA Women’s Football, was happy to hear of the initiative, knowing her former players are giving back to the sport she is still very involved with herself.”
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Among those that benefited from the workshop was Durban North College learner Yusairah Abdool who said it was a fun experience. “The workshop helped a lot and we got to test our skill against other players. We were in mixed schools team which was good for us, to play alongside people we normally play against in inter-school matches,” said Abdool.
Her enthusiasm was shared by schoolmate Khalia Pillay who said, “The workshop was really nice. I learnt a lot. There were a lot of diverse people with different personalities, I also got to meet some fantastic coaches. Hopefully I’ll one day be able to follow in their footsteps and play for Banyana Banyana.”
Following the success of the workshop, Crasso said another workshop will be hosted at the end of August. Girls between the ages of 10 and 12 who wish to participate can WhatsApp Debby from Durban Schools Football on 060 318 4899.
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