WOMEN'S
FOOTBALL
UWC WOMEN’S FOOTBALL CLUB
BY LONWABO MARELE
TRIUMPH BEYOND THE PITCH I
N THE HEART OF BELLVILLE, a group of
young women are making waves on and off the football field. Meet the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Women’s Football Club, led by co-captains Chelsea Joy Daniels and Sinegugu Zondi. Their Varsity Football championship in August marked a triumphant moment for the team, but the story behind their success is as inspiring as the win itself. DANIELS, A 21-YEAR-OLD STRIKER with a
deep passion for football, hails from Blackheath in Cape Town, and she says
8 BLUE AND GOLD ISSUE 11 2023
playing for the team is not only about kicking a ball; it’s about finding the balance between academics and the beautiful game. “We focus on football and academics and we’re constantly reminded that academics come first, then football follows,” she says. ZONDI, FROM PIETERMARITZBURG,
KwaZulu-Natal, says playing for UWC Women’s Football Club is a unique experience. “It’s so different from other teams in terms of how organised things are here,” says the defender. “We have the best coaches, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing team.”
THE CHAMPIONSHIP WIN WAS NO SMALL FEAT,
and Daniels vividly remembers the journey. “We started off with a loss against UJ in the first group-stage match,” she says. It was a tough tournament, with matches scheduled every day. However, the team’s unity and dedication made the difference. We motivated and supported each other to push through even when things got tough,” says Daniels.
THE TEAM’S UNITY AND DEDICATION MADE THE DIFFERENCE.
