Local civic association Highbury Foundation hosted a Women’s Day event and five-a-side football tournament at the Sarepta Sport Grounds on Monday. During a break in the matches on the netball courts, players heard inspirational messages and watched demonstrations.

Guest speaker Cheryl Fortuin, a kidney donor who finished her 10th Comrades Marathon in June, encouraged the youth to be the best version of themselves. She urged them to take advantage of every opportunity in sport, not to allow obstacles or disappointments to stand in their way, but to see these as chances to become better people.

READ MORE: From kidney donor to green number: Kuils River’s Cheryl conquers 10th Comrades

Performances

Attendees watched performances by the Soneike High School drum majorettes and girls from the Kuils River Weightlifting Club, as well as singer Zara Mansfield and a dance group from local performing arts non-profit organisation Project 021. Weightlifting coach Kevin du Plooy and David Cornelson of Project 021 also shared insights with the audience.

Support

Highbury Foundation chair Winston Middleton said the event would not have been possible without support. He thanked Greystone ITC (Brandon Abrahams), Riverland Springs (Amanda Jane Lopez), JIST Project Management (Michael Gelderbloem), Nightlife Entertainment (Kenneth Middleton) and Newman’s Football Club for their contributions.

Gallery

Eighteen teams with players from Highbury, Sarepta, Danarand, Kalkfontein, Wesbank, Delft and Wallacedene competed in three age groups. The winners were Amajita FC, Highbury (12–13 years), Coventry FC, Delft (14–18), and Smartey Town FC, Kalkfontein (18+).

Fives action photos: Carina Roux