Soccer star inspires girls
Former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini paid a surprise visit to girls in Doringkop last week.
More than 300 young soccer girls in Doringkop, outside Stanger, received the chance to share an afternoon with their idol last week.
National women’s soccer team, Banyana Banyana midfielder Amanda Dlamini inspired girls from Nyakana Combined, Tshelabantu and Ramlakan Primary Schools during a special coaching clinic.
Dlamini made history when she became the first ever South African women’s captain to qualify South Africa for the London Olympics last year. Through her Amanda Dlamini Girls Foundation she now aims to empower girls in rural areas.
The soccer star shared her story with the girls.
“When I started playing soccer I did not have boots, so I played barefoot. There were no girls so I trained with the boys. You must have a dream and you must use what you have to get what you want. If I had waited for soccer boots I never would have been where I am today.”
During the coaching clinic Dlamini spotted the talented 14-year-old Tshelabantu Primary pupil Nondumiso Buthelezi. She chose dlamini to join 30 other girls from across KZN at a soccer boot camp in December.
Buthelezi was very grateful for a visit and attention from Dlamini, who she “only ever saw on TV.”
Dlamini thanked all those who had made the visit possible and said she hoped the girls went home feeling like they had learnt something new.
“When a humble society like this one opens its doors to allow their young girls an opportunity to be inspired through sports and life skills, it makes me very humble.”
Each girl went home with a gift pack containing Jockey, Aquelle and P&G products.
