Former Bafana Bafana defender Roger Links opens new pathways for girls’ football

Former Cape Town Spurs and Bafana Bafana defender Roger Links is using his experience to improve opportunities for young female footballers at Wynberg Girls’ Junior and High School in Cape Town.

Links, who is 58 and won 12 caps for South Africa between 1992 and 1993, has moved away from the higher-profile side of the game to focus on developing the next generation. His work at the school is aimed not only at producing players, but also at addressing the lack of support and facilities available to girls.

“It’s about creating pathways,” Links told KickOff.

“Just to give you an idea of the challenges, the girls don’t even have changing rooms, specific field allocations or referees assigned to their games. But it needs to change for the better.

“Through schools, and particularly Wynberg Girls’ Junior and High School, girls have a voice that carries weight because they are part of an academic institution.”

Links has helped establish a partnership between Wynberg Girls’ and Antalyaspor JPM Cape Town, one of the leading development academies in the Western Cape.

The agreement is intended to give the school’s players a stronger platform while contributing to the wider development of the women’s game.

“The fantastic part is that Antalyaspor recognise the opportunity to grow the women’s game and have graciously allowed the Lionesses to partner with them,” Links said.

“We share the same values. The holistic development of the girl is paramount. Football must help her contribute positively to herself, her family, her community and her club.”

Links previously coached at Ajax Cape Town and Ubuntu. He believes progress will depend on schools, clubs and other stakeholders working together rather than operating separately.

He said the partnership could help ensure that more girls are included in the sport and that their views are taken seriously.

“We cannot leave anyone behind. Every football girl has a part to play. The more we work together, the more we can make girls’ football a home where every girl’s voice is heard.”