A true heroine for national side
Lauren Duncan leads operations off the field for Banyana Banyana. She spoke to Josh Bunting about her role and the rise of women’s football in SA.
Over recent years, the rise of South African women’s football has been phenomenal as Banyana became 2018 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations runners-up and reached last year’s World Cup in France.
For five years Duncan has been responsible for off field preparation and administration of the side and really is Banyana’s true off-the-pitch hero.
“My family were always involved in football, so I spent many days, nights and weekends at the field helping in tuckshop duties, officiating games, and coaching pee wees. I also started playing football at our local indoor facility, and joined a women’s team before finally playing in the highest league for women in the country [at the time], the semi-professional Sasol League”.
Banyana reached their first World Cup in 2019. Speaking about her feelings and experience in France, Duncan said: “The World Cup was out of this world. The World Cup is definitely the world showcase that everyone wants to be part of, especially if you work in the sport.
“It was an honour for me to be able to represent my country, especially at our debut appearance, and it was such a memorable experience that I will forever be grateful for. Although for me, it is much the same, but of course on a much bigger scale, with regards to the administration side of things as we prepare for each match and tournament in similar ways.”
On her day-to-day role, Duncan said: “Administration... Hahaha! I put emphasis on that word, because that is exactly what my day looks like. I am involved in the day-to-day running of the team, ensuring that all aspects are covered, from preparing the camps to finalising the camp at the end. These include transport, meals, kit, equipment, accommodation, etc.”
Asked how did she get into her role with the national team, she said: “I was involved in women’s football administration for many years and in 2015 I was appointed as the youth women’s team [Under-17 and Under-20] administrator. In 2016, I was appointed the team administrator for the senior team”. –