Gift of playing kit a boost for EP, Border women’s rugby
It was Christmas in May for Eastern Cape-based women rugby teams, Eastern Province and Border.
Eastern Cape department of sport, recreation, arts & culture MEC Fezeka Nkomonye handed over sporting apparel in the form of boots and sports bras to representatives at Pine Lodge in Gqeberha on Saturday.
An avid rugby player herself, Nkomonye identified a need to encourage and motivate women rugby teams. She noted that most of the women players were from previously disadvantaged communities and were passionate about the sport.
“I have watched the Supersport School Challenge which we are doing in the Eastern Cape in partnership with Supersport,” Nkomonye said.
“I have seen many girls playing netball barefoot; they did not even have sports bras.
“I am not trying to look down on the players. I am a runner myself and I was once a rugby player I understand that when you are not working or even when you are working, participating in sport requires that you have certain basic things.
“You need quality boots that will make it comfortable for you to run for 80 minutes.
“As a woman I understand that if you don’t have a sports bra, it’s difficult to run.
“So I then thought we should approach our vehicle, the Eastern Cape Sports Confederation, so that we can intervene.
“I know it is not much, but it’s a gesture from us, as the department and government, to say we appreciate you and we want you to go forward.” the MEC said.
EC Sports Confederation treasurer Phumelele Hlathi said they had to work around the clock to make sure that MEC Nkomonye’s request was answered.
“I had to move heaven and earth to get these things . I received a lot of phone calls over the weekend after the matches last Saturday.
“People were very concerned about the state of some of the boots of the players.
“We all know where we come from and I wouldn’t like to be involved in a situation where our poverty is exposed to the world when here is something that we can do.”
Both EP and Border rugby women welcomed the donation from the MEC and EC Sports Confederation.
“I think this is a very good gesture for the girls. It also makes us feel special. It’s also a motivation to keep on growing and contributing towards the game. So we are really thankful for this, as a little goes a long way, but for the players it really means a lot,” EP captain Zenay Jordaan said.
Border team manager Thambisa Loko said: “This brings tears to my eyes because we have been struggling for years with these children. But today the MEC together with the department of sport saw it fitting for us to receive this rugby apparel.”
I am a runner myself and I was once a rugby player I understand that participating in sport requires that you have certain basic things [you cannot afford]