Last Thursday was a memorable day for Rodadau Ladies football club, which is affiliated to the Sasol Women's League Limpopo Stream. The club held their awards ceremony at the Davidson Resort in Mbhalati on Thursday, 8 December.
The function resembled a feast of trophies, medals and certificates as players, supporters and officials proudly ascended the stage to reap the rewards of their hard work.
The guest speaker, Mr Thomas Mutavhatsindi, said that the success of a soccer game did not necessarily start on the field. "Success goes hand in hand with planning. You must set achievable goals for yourselves, and you will then reap success."
He praised Rodadau FC's management for their dedication, saying that running a women's team had more challenges than a professional team. He appealed to the players to refrain from immoral behaviour and for those still in school to study hard. He applauded those who received awards, calling them the "ambassadors" of the team. Mutavhatsindi emphasised the importance of sport and education for the future of the youth.
The manager of the team, Mr Ernest Mulaudzi, said the main purpose of the function was to motivate the players to work hard in the new season. He congratulated the players who received awards and said they deserved to be honoured in public, because what they had achieved made every one of them proud. He attributed the accolades received to the discipline and dedication of the players, and the way the team was being managed.
The players who received awards during the event are Lethabo Sello (player of the season), Sbongile Sebetha (top goal scorer), Puledi Sebola (midfielder of the season), Pretty Rampasa (most dedicated player), Thabang Thabetha (defender of the season) and Queen Ngobeni (most inspired player of the season). Thabiso Manyane, Shonisani Mafela, Maite Malahlela and Lebogang Rasuku received awards for joining the team when it was established in 2019.
Sebetha, who is the team captain, said she was very excited about her award, having worked very hard for it. She promised the team management that they were going to get promoted to a higher league next season.