The training4changeS’ girls’ soccer teams followed in the footsteps of the boys’ teams by clinching the titles in the under-13 and under-16 titles at Fundacion La Liga’s inaugural Mzansi Equality League over the weekend of Saturday 16 November.
The organisation’s boys’ teams won the under-13 and under-18 leagues of the Stellenbosch LFA First Division this year.
The training4changeS’ teams, including girls from nine different schools in five different communities, were led by coaches Christelene Jantjies and Wendy Qangiyeza, and they overcame competition from around Cape Town.
“I’m overwhelmed with joy by the fact that these girls have made history,” Jantjies said. “We set out just to give the girls a chance to be part of something great, but I’m happy that we could also win the competition.
“I am so proud of these girls, for Stellenbosch and the different schools the girls represent. They grew so much through this league it was important for them to have more chances to play with girls their age, but also some of them have never had opportunities to get to know places outside of Stellenbosch.”
The Mzansi Equality League promotes diversity and inclusivity, providing girls from all walks of life the opportunity to be a part of a unique community initiative, building up their confidence and empowering them through sport.
“The Mzansi Equality League is an example of how collaboration and the power of sport can bring about social change,” explained Tresor Penku, managing director of La Liga Africa. This initiative is creating new opportunities for young women in South Africa.
Daniel Thomae, co-founder of training4changeS, added: “Being involved with this league aligns with our ongoing #againstALLodds campaign to increase opportunities for girls to play soccer, champion gender equality, and empower young women to be transformational leaders.
“For such a diverse group of girls to work together and win this competition is a testament to the great work our coaches are doing, and it shows how girls respond when safe spaces are created for them to do what they love. I’m happy for the girls, and I look forward to us all continuing to build on the work we’ve been doing in local schools coaching girls’ soccer.”
training4changeS is an internationally acclaimed NGO based in Stellenbosch that provides a unique blend of high-level soccer coaching, quality education, and mentorship to empower young change makers.
It is was the first African NGO to earn accreditation in Education Outside the Classroom, and has twice been ranked the top African NGO using sport for Peace and Social Justice. training4changeS runs a boys’ soccer academy and school teams for girls.
Visit www.training4changes.org or social media pages to find out more.
