15 February 2019 – The Working Group of former football players reconvened at SAFA House on Friday, 15 February 2019 to chart the way forward and put the process into motion.
The Working Group comprises among others Mike Ntombela, David Nyathi, Bhudha Mathathe, Portia Modise, Simba Marumo, Bennet Mnguni, Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe and Phuti Matlou.
The Group was impressed by the big number of ex-women footballers who were playing an important role within various football structures. Moving forward, the Group agreed that they should convene an urgent plenary session with the Government, National Soccer League and SASCOC among others to brief them on the process and the agenda going forward.
The Group resolved that to maximise this historic opportunity, they should speak with one voice regardless of one’s past or current affiliation.
They also agreed to:
• Develop a clear objective of the process which include a clear and viable business model. The business proposal should be professional and compelling.
• Establish a Secretariat which will be led by the Association.
• Create a Players Provident Fund and this funding should come from among others the NSL, the 2010 Legacy Trust and to look at other funding models.
• That the process should encompass women footballers.
• Do research on the best practices from other developed countries and that
• Members of the Working Group should share any other information with their structures on the ground in order to project a united front.
The Group resolved to meet again at the end of March and by that time, most of the funding models and negotiations will have been concluded.