Despite seniors and juniors sharing one soccer kit, only two players having soccer boots and volleyballs sometimes used for practice, the girls of Siyadlala Soccer Club in Zwelihle remain committed.
They head to the Zwelihle sports field every day after school to train with coach Archie Mjakuja, who tries his best to keep the girls in tiptop shape despite their lack of resources.
The soccer club, consisting mainly of learners from Qhayiya Secondary School and Lukhanyo Primary School, was established in 2013 with funding from the Grootbos Foundation. This, Mjakuja said, stopped in 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I continued with the team of approximately 47 girls between the ages of 12 and 30 because they are so dedicated and love the game,” he explained.
The club receives barely any funding from outside sources and fundraisers are poorly supported as most team members are still at school and their parents aren’t in a financial position to contribute much to these efforts or travelling fees..
“The girls sometimes borrow boots from the boys when they aren’t playing, otherwise we play with normal tekkies that don’t have a good grip. We have two soccer balls and two volleyballs for practice.
“Having nice uniforms and boots to play in will give these girls extra pride in themselves but there just aren’t any funds,” said Jakuja.
The lack of funding for transport, he explained, has cost them many points in penalties.
“We have consistently ended second or third in our league, but we could be tops if only we have enough money to attend every game.
“We have to take part in a tournament on 29 April at Generations School Hermanus. We really hope and pray that someone can assist us with funding and kits. It will mean so much to these players who are so dedicated to the sport.”
Anyone who can assist the team can contact Mjakuja on 083 245 4990 or 083 390 9694.
