REPORT: 

103 fired up teams gathered on an icy cold winter’s morning at the University of the
Free State’s soccer fields.

  • After a short address from Craig Wilkinson about the purpose of the day, the players took the NOEXCUSE pledge and sang the national anthem before kicking off the first round of games.

  • Local Football Associations provided the refs who handled the fiercely competitive teams well and ensured that the day’s play took place without any serious incidents.

  • Students from the university poured in to watch the action and an all-female group of singers and dancers from one of the residences provided entertainment.

  • The final was played under floodlights and the ecstatic winners held their winning trophy aloft just after 9 pm that night.

  • After a short address from Craig Wilkinson about the purpose of the day, the players took the NOEXCUSE pledge and sang the national anthem before kicking off the first round of games.

  • Local Football Associations provided the refs who handled the fiercely competitive teams well and ensured that the day’s play took place without any serious incidents.

  • Students from the university poured in to watch the action and an all-female group of singers and dancers from one of the residences provided entertainment.

  • The final was played under floodlights and the ecstatic winners held their winning trophy aloft just after 9 pm that night.

“WOMAN ABUSE IS UNFAIR TREATMENT OF WOMEN FROM AND BY MEN. SO I THINK GOVERNMENT MUST PRIORITISE COMING UP WITH MEASURES TO DEAL WITH IT.”

Musa Sithole, Spectator

“WOMEN ARE THERE TO BE LOVED AND RESPECTED.”

Laavil Ward, Player

“A MAN SHOUD TREAT A WOMAN AS SPECIAL AS POSSIBLE – WE SHOULD JUST LOVE AND APPRECIATE EVERY WOMAN.”

Vusi Sithole, Player

“IF IT WERE UP TO ME, I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TOURNAMENT TAKES PLACE AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, SO THAT THE PLAYERS ARE MOTIVATED AND EVEN THOSE WHO REMAIN IN THE TOWNSHIP DOING NOTHING ARE EXCITED TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT.”

Alex Mbanjane, Coach

“WOMAN ABUSE IS UNFAIR TREATMENT OF WOMEN FROM AND BY MEN. SO I THINK GOVERNMENT MUST PRIORITISE COMING UP WITH MEASURES TO DEAL WITH IT.”

Musa Sithole, Spectator

“WOMEN ARE THERE TO BE LOVED AND RESPECTED.”

Laavil Ward, Player

“A MAN SHOUD TREAT A WOMAN AS SPECIAL AS POSSIBLE – WE SHOULD JUST LOVE AND APPRECIATE EVERY WOMAN.”

Vusi Sithole, Player

“IF IT WERE UP TO ME, I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS TOURNAMENT TAKES PLACE AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, SO THAT THE PLAYERS ARE MOTIVATED AND EVEN THOSE WHO REMAIN IN THE TOWNSHIP DOING NOTHING ARE EXCITED TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT.”

Alex Mbanjane, Coach

“A real man is a man who uses his strength for good.”

– Craig Wilkinson

WATCH A CLIP OF THE EVENT