Sasol, in conjunction with SAFA, have unveiled Limitless, an initiative aimed at garnering more support for, and inspiring participation in, women’s football. Limitless will run for the remainder of 2018 and into 2019 and will be made-up of various programmes, designed to shine a spotlight on the sport.
Nozipho Mbatha, Sasol Group Brand Marketing Manager said, “Sasol is the proud sponsor of Banyana Banyana as well as the Sasol Women’s League and has been a supporter of women’s football for 10 years. We are immensely passionate about the game; we now want to imbue our passion into South Africa as a whole. That’s what #Limitless is about, it is a mechanism to inspire both footballers and supporters of football and to assist us and our partners SAFA, in growing the game.”
As part and parcel of the initiative, Sasol has created blue Limitless shoelaces and will be challenging people around the country to wear them as a symbol of their support for women’s football. They will live as a manifestation the initiative to encourage South Africa to get behind Banyana Banyana and the sport as a whole.
The initiative also aims at shining a spotlight on individuals involved in women’s football. It will serve as an illustration of the powerful and talented individuals selflessly giving of themselves to grow the game. These individuals will be used as an illustration of how participation in sport teaches confidence, dedication, determination, and teamwork – lessons that can translate into other areas of individuals’ lives.
Banyana Banyana head-coach, Desiree Ellis, commented, “Research across the board is showing that there are not enough women being active/playing sport and that people that are active see a number of physical and mental benefits that translate into all aspects of their life. Football not only gives you the chance to showcase your talent but enables you to make friends, it builds character and gives you opportunities outside of sport. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without football. I urge all young girls to consider taking up football. #Limitless is an immensely exciting prospect from Sasol and SAFA, it mirrors all of my beliefs around football and I can’t wait to see its impact in the future.”
Included in the profiling, will be numerous Banyana Banyana players, in the aim of positioning them in order to give young girls people to look up to and aspire to. Additionally, Sasol and SAFA will be giving Banyana Banyana players the opportunity to grow personally when they launch the #Limitless internship programme. The programme will initially offer two players the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at Sasol, SAFA and leading sports marketing agency, Levergy.
Fran Hilton-Smith, Assistant Technical Director at SAFA added, “Banyana Banyana are currently one of the top performing national teams in South Africa and we continue to see growth in the Sasol League. We urge all South Africans to show their backing for women’s football and to give our players the support they deserve. #Limitless is definitely a step in the right direction in achieving greater exposure for the game. We look forward to seeing what we will achieve in this regard together with Sasol.” Limitless is designed to use football as a positive catalyst in changing perceptions and behaviours for positive outcomes. Whether it be young girls learning life lessons through sport or a serious footballer that has her eye on a professional contract or playing at a World Cup.
