Play Sport4Life will soon be launching its latest community initiative, the annual Women’s Multi-Sport Tournament with the aim to generate greater participation of women in sport.
Play Sport4Life (PS4L) is a non-profit organisation operating in the Kensington, Factreton and Maitland areas.
It was established to provide opportunities for children, youth and adults to participate in sport, and in so doing, help them become healthier, more responsible citizens in their community.
Carolyn Inglis, the head of operations at Play Sport4Life, said the festival which will be on Friday 9 August (Women’s Day) at Oude Molen Technical High School in Pinelands would be an opportunity for everybody involved in sport to celebrate, raise awareness and increase the profile of girls and women in sport across Cape Town.Taking initiative
“This is a long-overdue initiative,” Inglis said, adding they have to change the gender stereotype in sports and change the dominant view of sport being all about boys and men.
She added: “At PS4L we are equally passionate about women in sport as we are about the men. We will celebrate and showcase women’s sport at every level, from grassroots to elite and highlight the incredible contribution that women bring to sport.
“Our society is all about inclusion but we must not pay lip service to that idea. We have to practise what we preach. The girls and women deserve just as much recognition as their brothers, fathers or partners, and not just be on the sidelines supporting them.”
The aim of the day is to improve the media profile of women athletes, raise awareness of inclusive opportunities for women and girls and encourage women representation in sport leadership and the workforce.
“We think it is an appropriate day to host the event. We appeal to all involved in the sporting sector to show their support in helping women and girls reach their full potential through sport,” Inglis said.
“We will highlight challenges that women face in sport as well as celebrate and reflect on local female role models who have been making an impact in sport. Some prominent women and sporting legends will be part of this project to interact with the girls,” she explained.
PS4L recently added three women sports advocates to their board of directors, Linda Diedericks, Gail Reid and Gaya Mammon. All of whom are working passionately in assisting and advocating the importance of women in sports for the development of the community. How to enter for the tournament:
Entry is R150 per team registering for u.12, and u.15 and u.17 soccer, hockey and netball teams.
All schools, clubs or social girl teams are encouraged to enter.
Teams or individuals who would like to be involved in the Women’s Multi-Sport Tournament and be the first to hear about the plans and activities are urged register early to secure places.
Team registrations can be sent to Carolyn@ps4l.org.za They must contain the team name, sport code, age group, a contact person and their details.
The format is based on a knock-out system for 5-a-side soccer and 5-a-side netball and hockey played with a maximum of 10 players per team.
The deadline for team entries is Friday 26 July.
International Women’s Day is a day that has been celebrated globally since the early 1900s.
V For further information contact: Carolyn Inglis on 083 286 7199 and visit their website on www.playsport4life.org