Learners of 24 schools compete in the Region A five-a-side football development programme
Alexandra's MC Weiler School topped the primary division, while Diepsloot's Itirele Zenzele Comprehensive School won the high school division.
Learners of Midrand and surrounding primary and high schools donned their soccer kits on August 9 to participate in a six-a-side girls’ football development programme at Rabie Ridge Stadium.
The programme is part of the City of Joburg and Region A Sport and Recreation Women’s Month programmes in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Basic Education.
Other partners that contributed to the event’s success included Midrand Local Football Association, School Sport Province, and the district nine school sports committee.
One of the organisers, Mandla Mahlangu said the matches provided the spirit of togetherness, mutual appreciation, positive self-image, confidence, and self-esteem for the learners.
“Although these games help us to consolidate life skills and health matters dialogue, we still need improvement on sponsorship acquisition, more participation, and principals to allow their schools to participate,” said Mahlangu.
He said they needed to put more focus on high schools as the number of high schools that participated was alarmingly low.
“The events give the girls an opportunity to explore their soccer talent by exposing them to further development through [soccer] federations, and enhance and explore their leadership skills.”
Aside from the soccer matches, the day also included motivational talks by women in leadership. Also, each player was given a pack of sanitary pads.
“The girls must keep on doing the right thing by playing sport and we have to recruit more schools to participate and to sustain the programme by doing it every quarter.”
The next event will be on August 23 and 24.
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