03 April 2019 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) is on the right track in unearthing undiscovered female coaches throughout the country.
This is according to SAFA’s coaching instructor and course leader, Raymond Mdaka, who is currently working with a group of 24 aspiring professional female coaches at the ongoing SAFA Coaching D Licence course currently taking place in Nkangala, Middelburg.
The workshop kicked off on 2 April, and it will run up until 6 April 2019.
Mdaka also made mention that having more female coaches working with up and coming female players throughout the country, will play a massive part in the development of women’s football.
“A part of the Association’s Vision 2022, we want to give as many women who are interested in this sport an opportunity to get actively involved,” Mdaka. “We have also made sure that all of our female national teams are coached by women.
“And this has worked wonders for us as we have seen the likes of Simphiwe Dludlu (National U-17 Women’s team head coach) and Desiree Ellis (Banyana Banyana head coach) qualifying for major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup. They have proven it that it can be done and we need more of the Dludlus and Ellis coming up.”
Mdaka added that teams competing in LFAs and SAFA leagues throughout the country, need to play their part in giving talented female coaches an opportunity to serve as well.
“My only wish is to see these female coaches attending coaching workshops given opportunities in their respective communities,” Mdaka said. “Particularly serving in Sasol leagues, schools sports and in their respective LFAs. This will play a massive part in their development as up and coming coaches.”