A very talented young soccer player from Sinthumulekutama Ladies FC, 16-year-old Judy Baloyi, was included in the South African team that competed in the 2024 COSAFA U/20 Women's Championship, held at the University of Johannesburg's Soweto Campus from 19 to 24 November.
South Africa, as the host nation, competed against Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zambia. The tournament was won by Zambia, with South Africa finishing in second place. Judy played as a central defender, although she also plays as left back at her club.
Judy is currently a Grade 9 learner at Sinthumule High School. This is not the first time the school and the club have produced national soccer stars. In September this year, two players, Maanda Ramadwa and Ambani Raphadana, travelled to Namibia to take part in the CAF U/15 South African School Football Championship.
Speaking to Limpopo Mirror last week, Judy said sport was one of the ways to combat social ills such as drugs and substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and gender-based violence. "I would like to urge all women, young and old, to participate in sports. Taking part in sports helps a person live a healthy life and socialise with others, rather than resorting to alcohol and smoking," Judy said.
She explained that she fell in love with football at a young age and has never looked back. "I used to play with boys from an early age, and the sport they loved was soccer, so I got used to playing soccer with them," Judy said.
She also thanked the South African Football Association for initiating the Safa Women's National League. "Although there is still a gap between female and male sports, particularly in terms of funding, I hope that will change as the government always talks about 50/50. I hope that will also apply to sports," she said.