Dona’s Mates harnesses football to promote Gender-Based Violence awareness

Dona’s Mates Youth Development Project collaborated with the Gauteng Province Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation to organize a Coaches Workshop focusing on Violence Prevention through Football.

The Gauteng Province Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation granted Dona’s Mates Youth Development Project the funds to purchase training and playing equipment for their football teams.

The Coaches Workshop on Violence Prevention through Football took place successfully from 14 to 16 February, at Tshepana Primary School. This event marked a renewed partnership between Dona’s Mates and Tshepana Primary School, recalling their collaboration during the FIFA World Cup in 2010.

Dona’s Mates has a history of impactful workshops, empowering grassroots coaches, including notable figures like Thabo “Ace” Senong and Lucky Shiburu, who have progressed to coaching at national and international levels.

The project aims to continue empowering grassroots coaches through coaching manuals and toolkits, nurturing the future stars of football. Grateful for the support from the Gauteng Province Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, Dona’s Mates is committed to changing the coaching landscape in Orange Farm and surrounding communities.

With the 25th anniversary approaching, Dona’s Mates is actively seeking more sponsorship to revitalize the community’s passion for football, particularly at the Orange Farm Ext 8a Grounds, where the project was established in February 1999.

Certificates were awarded to workshop attendees, and refreshments were provided throughout the event.