FROM BADGERS TO BRISTOL

SOUTH AFRICA'S LOSS IS THE UK'S GAIN WITH DYNAMIC ROMANEY PINNOCK HAVING TAKEN CHARGE AS THE HEAD OF BRISTOL CITY WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

- Grant Shub

Romaney Pinnock may only have spent a year in the role head of women's football at the South African Football Association (SAFA) but the 40-year-old made inroads at the organisation before deciding to walk away from the position which was once a dream, owing to an unsustainable working environment.

Pinnock, who is the founder of Badgers Football Academy and one of three directors, now boasts of five competitive teams in operation and seven training sessions a week. She underlines the growth journey for her once-fledgling project which has been monumental.

Badgers' mission statement is for girls and women to have a safe space to play football and learn life skills along the way. with the beautiful game being a vehicle to drive change.

The buzz words the thriving Academy espouses are kindness, respect and inclusivity.

"South Africa is a deeply patriarchal society, and it plays out in sport," Pinnock tells Soccer Club from a Cape Town coffee shop, a stone's throw from Badgers FC.

"South African football is especially male-dominated and even deeper set in the patriarchy. It doesn't make for the most inviting environment and can be intimidating for young females to break into the space, whether as an administrator, coach or player. This is why I feel strongly about creating a space in which girls and women feel empowered."