Location and general information
Access to Sport - 
Employability - 
Gender Equality - 
Personal developmentContext
A study in the UK found that 43% of girls had dropped out of sporting activities by the time they had gone through puberty; 68% indicated that it was because they felt judged and 43% said that it was because they felt unsafe.
South Africa is an extremely unsafe place for girls. It has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in the world. On average in 2024, over 15,000 women were assaulted every three months and almost 1,000 were murdered.
South Africa also has one of the highest levels of wealth inequality in the world. The World Bank reports that 55% of the country lives in poverty. Cape Town specifically suffers from deep-rooted gangsterism and spatial and housing inequality as an ongoing result of the apartheid Group Areas Act, which forcibly removed black people from so-called white-only areas.
Public transport in South Africa is unreliable and riddled with safety issues, and an incredibly small number of sports clubs cater specifically for girls. As a result, it is virtually impossible for the majority of girls to find safe, supportive and professionally run sporting communities.
Project goals
- Provide a safe and professional football environment for girls living all over Cape Town
- Create pathways for girls to grow, athletically and personally, building confidence, improving physical and mental health, improving academic performance, building and strengthening friendships and creating a sense of belonging
- Offer school scholarships to players in need of additional support
- Provide safe transport home after dark for all who need it
- Upskill female coaches and referees through funded courses and practical experience throughout the season
- Build strong relationships with players’ families to ensure a strong support network for all
- Ensure players have access to healthy food and drinks on game days
Project content
Badgers Football Academy is a Cape Town football club owned and run by women for girls and women. It breaks down the barriers that exclude girls from sport and uses football to empower young women, by giving them access to a safe and supportive, values-driven, professional football environment.
- Professional coaching three times a week
- Ongoing mentorship from coaches and older players
- Sports equipment, tracksuits and kit
- Nutritional meals on game days
- At least 10 school scholarships per year
- After-school tutoring and academic support
- Regular team-building activities and an annual friendship-building camp
Partners
