Soccer grannies a force to be reckoned with on the field
Grannies are not meant to only sit at home and take care of everyone. These days, they are reinventing themselves, building friendships, keeping fit... and dribbling a ball in competitive soccer.
In the process, the grannies who make up the Vakhegula Vakhegula Football Club are proving that age should not stop you from doing the things you may think you're too old to achieve or participate in.
“Many of us have never played soccer but we are having fun while learning," said Ranitha Phillips, a 68-year-old grandmother of one, and a hairdresser, from Pietermaritzburg.
Phillips and her sister Bunny Bhoola are among a group of grannies from the City of Choice that have joined the Limpopo-based Vakhegula Vakhegula Football Club and they are a force to be reckoned with on the field.
The club, also known as Soccer Grannies, was started by Rebecca Ntsanwisi or "Mama Beka" as she is affectionately known, for women between the ages of 55 and 80.
Earlier this year, the club was looking for players to join them in a match against an all grandmother team in Mauritius. Phillips and Bhoola, who had no prior training in soccer, heard about the call-out and decided to join.
"The club wanted a mixed race team to represent South Africa and to show the elderly are actively ageing. I had no experience playing soccer although my husband, Calvin Petersen, was a professional player.
"I went along with my sister, who also never played. We joined in good faith and to have fun. There were no trials or formal training; just an informal and friendly match against Mauritius. We wore our takkies and the club sponsored our kit.“
She said the match was at St Francis Xavier Stadium in April and they won 1 - 0.
“We were so excited but most of all, we came back feeling motivated, enthusiastic about life and re-energised. When our win was featured in a local newspaper in Pietermaritzburg, we felt inspired and we made a call-out, asking other grannies to join a team we started under the Vakhegula Vakhegula Football Club banner. The response was phenomenal.
“We currently have a team of 20 players between the ages of 55 and 77. Our captain Makhosi Mbatha is 71. For now, we practise at weekends for 90 minutes because we are preparing for a tournament in Limpopo called the Grannies World Cup, which is expected to take place next year. We will be competing against countries like Brazil.”
Bhoola, 69, a tour operator and a grandmother of two, said she felt "fabulous" when she learnt to play the sport.
“I am loving this new chapter in my life. I am networking with new people and I have found that we go through the same issues - like being boarded-off from work or living in an empty nest. It is amazing to have a new community,” said Bhoola, who added that her grandson, aged six, often gave her tips.
“He is so excited. He lives in Australia but calls to give me tips and show me exercises.”
Sheila Pillay, 61, a pensioner and grandmother of six, joined the team because she was always involved in sports.
“I played netball when I was younger and I loved it. I did not think I would get a second chance at playing sports. I love soccer and my favourite team is Manchester United."
Bathe Mbanjwa, 62, a clerk and grandmother of five, said she joined the team because it was an opportunity to keep fit and stay healthy.
“I participated in running in school and also played soccer. I stopped playing in 2000. I am so excited to have been given this opportunity. My favourite position is left-winger and I support Orlando Pirates.”
Wendy Moorhead Marion, 68, a grandmother of four, said: “Old people are lost. I wanted to feel good again and now that I have joined the team, I feel like I am my old self again."
The team's coach, Calvin Petersen, played for Bafana Bafana, Moroka Swallows and in Austria for SC Eisenstadt Football Club.
“I retired in 1995. I never thought I would coach a group of grandmothers but I looked at it as a challenge and I am always up for a challenge, so I grabbed it with both hands. The team is hungry to learn and play. They are enthusiastic and have come a long way since we started. I am proud because many of the players had never played soccer before.”
Petersen said he was certain the team would be ready for the Grannies World Cup.