SAFA have taken a significant step towards fostering the development of young female football talent by launching the U/15 Girls Inter-LFA League.
The U/15 Girls Inter-LFA League was officially launched by SAFA technical director Walter Steenbok in Modimolle, Limpopo on Monday.
The pilot project is set to be launched in three more provinces this week.
Only four regions in four provinces have been selected for now which are Waterberg [Limpopo], Ekangala [ Mpumalanga], Thabo Mofutsanyana [Free State], and Amajuba [KwaZulu Natal].
The event on Monday was attended by amongst others leaders of five SAFA regions in Limpopo and SAFA provincial President Jack Maluleka. Maluleka is also the SAFA technical committee chairperson.
U/15 GIRLS INTER-LFA LEAGUE FINALLY LAUNCHED
The league is set to cater for 400 players and 38 women coaches across the four selected provinces. Steenbok explained the importance of the project and what the association expects from the regions.
“We are looking at the next U17 girl’s national team,” he said.
“These players are everywhere, hence we need to go to the villages and rural locations to afford them the opportunity to be scouted and developed.
“This is why this league is important. The criteria of players that we are looking for are girls born in 2009-2010. But this does not mean you cannot unearth talent that is younger than that age group,” added Steenbok.
WALTER STEENBOK AIMS TO DEVELOP ASPIRING COACHES
“We will also be looking to unearth young talented coaches. All these coaches will be encouraged to do CAF D and C in April 2024.
“In the meantime, an online coaching and mentoring programme will be implemented for all these coaches in the league.”
The league will be played over a period of four months. Steenbok and the SAFA officials will visit Mpumalanga in the Ekangala region on Tuesday, 21 November.
On Wednesday, they will proceed to Thabo Mofutsanyana in the Free State before wrapping up the launch at Amajuba in KwaZulu Natal.
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