Enticing second season of the GWDL kicks off on 24 March

By Siya Pongco , in Football | Featured Football | News , at 2024-03-22 Tags: Gauteng Women's Development League [GWDL]

The Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) is gearing up for its second season, starting with action in the u14 division on 24 March at the JP Bezuidenhout Stadium in Edenvale, Johannesburg.

The games start at 09:00 and supporters have been urged to get to the venue as early as possible to allow for easy entry and to enjoy a day filled with captivating women’s football.

The league has grown steadily since its inception, and this year will be even stronger with the addition of two streams in the u14 and u16 divisions. The u16 GWDL springs into action on 7 April, just a week after the u14 division kicks off.

“We are thrilled to see such a positive response to the league, with many teams joining and showing great enthusiasm to compete in this prestigious women’s football development league,” said GWDL administrator Mondli Dube.

“This is a significant milestone for women’s football in South Africa and, with a well-structured league and increased investment in the women’s game, we can only imagine the bright future ahead for our national women’s team, Banyana Banyana, which has already achieved remarkable success in recent times under the leadership of coach Desiree Wicks.”

Mamelodi Sundowns, who are the defending champions of GWDL and the inaugural championsof the GWDL top 8 competition, have invested heavily in their women’s football programme. The Brazilians, under the leadership of coach Rhoda Mulaudzi, kick off their title defence on Sunday against Refilwe FC.

JVW should be in the title race. They’ve pushed Sundowns to their limits whenever the teams have met, whether it has been in the Hollywoodbets Super League or the GWDL.

The presence of academies, such Remember Elite Sports Academy (RESA) is also a boost for the GWDL.

RESA narrowly missed out on playing for gold at the GWDL Top 8 Cup. After holding Mamelodi Sundowns to a 0-0 draw, they went down from the penalty spot in their semi-final showdown.

The academy has a strong track record of identifying and producing top talents, which have included Thabang Monare, who plays in the midfield for Orlando Pirates, and Mduduzi “Mdu” Mdantsane, of Kaizer Chiefs.

Another team that bears watching is UP Tuks, who have strong youth development structures through all sports. They’re consistently among the top achievers in Varsity sports, school competitions and national leagues, and with top-notch facilities, UP Tuks has set a high standard for sports investment.

Their return to the second season of GWDL comes with a promise of tough competition, but they’ll be sternly tested by JVW in their opener.

Fixtures

Field 1, 09:00: Highlands Park vs West Youth Academy
Field 2, 09:00: JVW vs Tuks
Field 1, 10:30: Kenneth FC vs Tornado Ladies
Field 2, 10:30: Kempton Park FC vs RESA
Field 1, 11:45: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Refilwe FC
Field 2. 11;45: Origin FC vs Panorama FC
Field 1, 12:45: West Youth Academy vs Edenvale FC
Field 2, 12:45: Tornado Ladies vs Highlands Park
Field 1, 13:45: RESA vs JVW
Field 2, 13:45: Refilwe FC vs Kenneth FC
Field 1, 15:00: Panorama FC vs Kempton Park FC
Field 2, 15:00 Origin FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns

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Siya Pongco

A passionate reader and dedicated writer, Siya possesses three degrees from Rhodes University including a Postgraduate Diploma at Rhodes University. He also played amateur cricket and soccer, both during his university years. While honing his journalism skills at Grocott’s Mail in Makhanda, he developed a profound interest in the community’s response to crime. Additionally, he covered topics such as art/culture and student politics at Rhodes University in 2022. In his spare time, Siya can be found exploring galleries, dining at restaurants, indulging in literature, taking photographs or savouring his favourite dish, spaghetti.