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Veronica Gwaze-Sports Reporter

The Northern Region Women Soccer League will today launch the National Foods School of Excellency at National Sports Stadium, with players from across the country expected to benefit from the project which will culminate in the widening of the selection pool for the Mighty Warriors. 

Previously known to accommodate players from the Northern Region only, this time the academy, earmarked to groom young female players that would have been selected from the regions’ clubs has also expanded nationally. 

NRWSL chairperson Peter Gonyora said the academy has partnered with National Food, hence re-branding to National Foods SOE. 

“Our wish is for our women football to return to its glory days, remember we were at the Olympics at some point so we hope this project will help us in a long way,” said Gonyora. 

The National Foods SOE launch will be graced by its two patrons, Minister of Industry and Commerce Sithembiso Nyoni and Skills Audit and Development Minister, Paul Mavima. 

“Through this project we have produced a number of players who have made it to the national team, and apart from that, it also keeps these girls away from the society ills,” he said. The 80 young girls are also expected to be in camp between today and December 22 at Ellis Robins High School. 

The School of Excellency ‘s major mandate will be to identify players across provinces and hone their skills. 

This, said Gonyora, will be achieved by holding periodic training camps.

The camps will also equip the girl child with information relating to the dangers of early pregnancy and drug and substance abuse. 

“We will be holding three periodic camps per year starting next year.

“And through the new partnership, we have increased the number of our beneficiaries from 50 to 80 and National Foods will be the major sponsors,” he added. 

“We want to have vibrant grassroots junior structures that will churn out quality players into the national teams. 

“The two Ministers have been our friends, assisting us by sourcing support and mobilising resources from across the world.”

Gonyora added that the National Foods SOE will also go a long way in assisting the drive by addressing some of the topical issues that affect female footballers.

“I believe that women’s football teams have proved that they are a force to reckon with and must be supported so the best way to do it is having a vibrant grassroots,” he said.