Members of a newly formed girls’ football team from Crossroads are appealing to all businesspeople to assist them with the football equipment so they could keep their dream alive.
The Red Pearls Football Club was established late last year to lure young girls away from the streets.
The team has more than 30 players from 11 years upwards.
Team captain Thamie Siganga said they are struggling with everything. “For now we need soccer balls, cones, water bottles and training bibs. We only have one soccer ball. We don’t need cash, a person can donate a ball, a few cones and so on.”
Siganga said they aim to put Crossroads on the map. According to her, they are the first women’s soccer team in the area.
“We are not registered yet, but we aim to play in a competitive league. We work hard to achieve our dream.”
She added the club was visited by Ward 36 councillor Nceba Ntshweza, who also watched them train, on Thursday 12 January.
Siganga said Ntshweza vowed to assist them where possible. “We had a special visit on Thursday by our councillor to spend time with us,” she said. “He looked so impressed with what we were doing. He promised to ask for donations for our team, even though he didn’t wish to commit himself. We are waiting; maybe he will come with something.”
Ntshweza, who confirmed he had visited the team, said he was inspired by their energy. “I told them I would try to get a few balls and cones for them and then other things as time goes by,” he said
The councillor praised the young ladies for their great job and vowed to support them in fulfilling their dream.