Although rugby is always seen as a male-dominated sport, girls took to the field. However the City of Johannesburg Sport and Recreation partnered with Yellow Cover SA to host a Girls into Rugby development programme recently.

The programme took place at Jabulani Technical High School in Soweto and included the distribution of sanitary pads and food packs as gifts to the young girls. This community-driven project is designed not only to create a passion for the sport, but also to foster social cohesion between communities.

Yellow Cover has been working with the City of Johannesburg to help girl children. Its programmes aim to afford the girl-child an equal opportunity to lead a complete and fulfilled life. City of Johannesburg Deputy Director for Sports and Recreation Karen du Plessis said that the Covid-19 lockdown has had an incredibly negative effect on young girls in the country.

“Their self-esteem levels have taken a huge hit. Often, young girls just need somebody to believe in them, someone to tell them they can succeed, and give them the skillset they need to do so. Rugby gives these girls a chance to overcome barriers and change their future. It gives them a chance to explore something that could make a positive impact on their lives,” said Du Plessis.

Dr Karabo Semenya, the former chairperson of the Soweto Rugby Club, expressed her happiness that finally a women’s rugby programme has been implemented in Soweto.

“This Girls into Rugby development programme provides important learning opportunities where children can practice positive attitudes and behaviours, supporting gender equality in their communities. Rugby teaches the youth values of integrity, respect, and discipline that provide a strong anchor for life skills learning,” she said.

“It is designed to empower girls to play their best game and live their best life. Teammates often become lifelong friends, and clubs become family.”

One of the girls who participated in the programme said: “It gives us girls an excuse to get out of our normal lifestyles, to stop hanging around on the streets, and stop getting into trouble. We are given something positive to channel our energy into.”