In a groundbreaking move that defies traditional gender stereotypes, a 22-year-old woman is at the helm of senior men’s club rugby team, Strand United, and in doing so is becoming a trailblazer in the sport.
Gaamiela Josephs, known among her peers as “Gaamo”, who is a provincial rugby player and member of the Springboks women’s 7s development programme, has been appointed the skills coach under head coach Taariq van der Ross.
Her appointment marks a significant milestone in the evolution of rugby, as women continue to break barriers and challenge long-held assumptions about their capabilities in male-dominated sports.
“I’m still actively playing rugby myself, so the transition to coaching hasn’t been too difficu
lt,” Josephs said in an interview with DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette.
“I’ve always been a coachable player, eager to learn and ask questions. My experience as a player gives me a unique perspective on the game and allows me to connect with the players on a deeper level.”
At her young age she already has a strong coaching background, having coached various school-boy rugby teams and a free skills-development programme in Strand.
Josephs attended Strand Moslem Primary and later Gordon High School, which laid the foundations for her rugby to flourish.
“I’ve started a free skills-development programme in Strand called ‘Goal-driven Skills Development’, in which I offer skills sessions to the youth. From my programme I have managed to get 21 players to represent Western Cape Touch Association in the Junior Interprovincial Touch Tournament, and one of the players received MVP in his age category.”
Josephs’ passion for the sport and her dedication to her players has earned her the respect of her team and the community.
“I believe that hard work beats talent if talent isn’t working hard,” she said. “That’s something I emphasise to all my players, regardless of their age or skill level.”
While Josephs acknowledges there may be stereotypes associated with female coaches she is determined to prove gender does not define her abilities.
“I’ve faced challenges in the past, but I’ve always focused on equipping myself with the knowledge and skills I need to succeed. I’ve had some great mentors who have supported me along the way, and I’m grateful for their guidance.”
Josephs has ambitious goals for the future, including coaching a female international team and a provincial men’s team. She hopes to inspire other young women to pursue their dreams in the world of sports.
Her appointment has been met with both enthusiasm and scepticism, but she remains undeterred.
“I’m excited to see more women breaking barriers in sports,” she said. “It’s important for young girls to have role models who can show them that anything is possible.”
Asked for comment, Van der Ross said: “As Head Coach I’m extremely proud to have her on my Staff. ‘Gaamo’ has been playing provincial, then international rugby since she was 13. One day when she is coaching at international level, we want her to say that she got her big break at Strand United.”
