The Lavender Hill Football Club’s Ladies’ u-16 team participated in a mini-tournament against girls from the community on Tuesday 11 July.
Mark Nicholson, Lavender Hill Football Club coach, says their focus is to empower girls.
“The whole idea of today’s programme, which Rise Above Development (RAD) is giving, is to empower girls’ sports. Our football club was donated a soccer kit which consists of 14 pairs of shirts, shorts and socks by the Whitaker Peace Foundation who we invited to join us here today.”
Nicholson added that women’s football needs to be highlighted.
“We are highlighting women’s football. The girls here today, their ages range from seven to 18 years and they are part of the Lavender Hill Football Club and play in a structured league.
“We have an u-16 girls team and a senior team and today we are focusing on the younger ones. They are playing, having fun and enjoying themselves.
“We have been doing holiday programmes for the past two weeks, where we have children coming in for a garden project, and they are mini farmers.”
Siphathisiwe Dhlamini, from the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative founded by American actor and activist Forrest Whitaker, says they support the youth to be role models in their communities.
“We exist for the community and we are here today to support one of our peacemakers and we believe that through sports we can unite and bring peace and solidarity.
“As an organisation, we believe that if there is no peace there is no development and that is why we are here to support our youth so that they can be role models in the community. They can inspire other young people to realise that violence is not the only solution but there are other peaceful ways and means to be a better person.”
She added that the foundation sponsored sports equipment, uniforms, soccer boots and medals.
