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Kerry-Anne flies soccer flag high

Kerry-Anne Voster from Vrygrond is one of 10 Cape Town soccer coaches to obtain a Level D coaching licence from the South African Football Association (Safa). This after she participated in the Premier Skills Phase Two Global Football Coaching and Referee Development Programme in Pretoria.

Premier Skills is an international grassroots football programme in partnership between the Premier Soccer League and the British Council. Football is used as a tool to develop a brighter future for young people around the world.

Voster’s interest in soccer comes from a long line of sports people in her family but she says because of gangsterism, drugs and alcohol that got the better of them, none of them ever made it far with sports in general.

“My interest started from the age of 10 when my cousin took the time to teach me the basics of just passing a ball for hours before moving to playing, kicking and dribbling. At age 12 I started playing Sunday League games for a boy’s team just to help out and basically learn more of the sport. Soccer not only became a sport to me but it became a language and lifestyle,” she says.

Kerry-Anne is currently playing for Milano United Lady’s team in Grassy Park. Through the years she played for teams such as Malo, Rainbow Meet and Islanders Lady’s team.

“I am playing soccer for eight years now and the reason why I went into coaching is because in my community women’s soccer is not being watched or supported. I want to make a change in my community and change the mindset of young girls to believe in their passion and dream again,” she said.

Voster aspires to teach the girls about soccer and sports but also life skills.

“Soccer changed my life and I believe it can change the lives of many more girls, we just need someone to be willing to make the change.

“I started my D Licence coaching last year at Ikamva, the home of Ajax Cape Town in Parow, with Safa and did my Phase One Premier Skills Coaching Development course at the same time. I was lucky enough to make it through to the next phase where I did my Phase 2 Coaching Educator course in Pretoria at the High-Performance Centre at the University of Pretoria,” she says.

When she is not on the soccer field she loves running, rugby and sport in general.

“I’m trying to import what I’ve learnt at all the coaching courses I’ve been on with other coaches in my community so that we can improve our way of thinking and behaviour about soccer and sports. I am hoping to have my own ladies’ team at the end of the year or beginning of 2019.

“Premier Skills includes everyone, irrespective of gender, age or physical ability. I am looking to set up a women’s football organisation in my local community in Vrygrond,” she says.

Voster dreams that through soccer she can change the mindset of young girls.

“I want to teach them that the life of gangsterism and drug abuse, or any negative thing holding them back and robbing them of their dreams, can be changed by a simple thing such as soccer. I would also like to try and bring down the percentage of teenage pregnancies in my community by educating them.

“Through football and life skills I know I can make that change or at least try to make a difference. My short-term goal is to invite girls to join my club and get a safe place for them to train. Thereafter I would try to get them involved in the league competition or help them play professional soccer later on,” she says.

Voster admires Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk for her drive and the example she sets as a soccer player.

“Women’s soccer does not get the recognition it deserves to put it on par with the men, and more female journalists should report on soccer to draw girls to play the game. I would like to meet Desiree Ellis, the national coach, and hear her view on soccer and what more can be done,” Voster says.

She is a teacher’s assistant at Capricorn Primary School and says that all the opportunities that have come her way are thanks to the Lord.

“I would not be in this position if it was not for my community that supported me. I took the opportunity to try to better my community where opportunities are few and far between. My community keeps me going and helps me not to give up on my dreams,” she says.

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