Inaugural Phoenix Elites SA Games set to boost women’s football
Phoenix Elites SA, known for its commitment to community development and upliftment, is once again doing its bit to promote women’s football by hosting the first-ever Annual Phoenix Elites SA Games at the Boksburg Stadium, on Saturday, 25 October.
The Annual Phoenix Games follows an announcement made months ago by Phoenix Elite SA about its partnership with the Gauteng Women’s Soccer League, which is set to kick off next month.
Earlier this year, Melissa Sall, the Managing Director of Phoenix Group SA, told SuperSport Schools Plus that the organisation was setting up its own tournament in October. She said it would be distinctly different from any other.
Earlier this week, SuperSport Schools Plus spoke with Sall again about the forthcoming event.
Sall said the primary goal of her organisation is to instigate change across the regional leagues, not limited to a single league, and thus create a significant impact.
Many regional teams lack sponsorship, and managing a club in South Africa poses considerable challenges, as most clubs depend on the national governing body of South African football, the South African Football Association (SAFA), for assistance, but that is often not nearly enough.
“We have pinpointed teams within the regional league, including one team from outside the province [of Gauteng], namely Rustenburg City, to take part in this tournament,” Sall said.
“The essence of the tournament is to bridge the gap between the financial support that the teams require and their internal needs, such as equipment. For instance, some girls do not have soccer boots, and there is a need for hygiene products – sports bras, and similar items,” she elaborated.
Sall also informed SuperSport Schools Plus that all teams participating in the annual games will have their affiliation fees for the season in their respective leagues covered. That is a substantial commitment and one that will alleviate some of the financial pressures under which clubs find themselves.
The affiliation fee for teams in regional leagues amounts to R3000. Any teams that earn promotion to the Sasol League will also receive R3000 towards their affiliation fee for the 2026 season.
“When I did the evaluation, if a team struggles to cope in the regional league, it will even be more difficult for them to survive in the Sasol League. Within the Sasol League, the teams are required to travel even further than what the regional league would,” Sall explained.
She also said the group is seeking additional sponsors, including corporates, to essentially adopt a team and accompany them throughout their journey.
There are significant prizes available, with a total value of up to R100 000 at the Boksburg Stadium on Saturday. The prizes have been uniquely structured to align with the specific needs that have been identified.
Sall said it is the goal of Phoenix Elites SA to hold the tournament not only once a year but twice a year.
She also mentioned a goal of including all teams from various regions across all leagues, encompassing the Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) teams, the Sasol League, and potentially even Hollywoodbets Super League teams.
Sall also spoke about what will set the Phoenix Elites event apart. “For us to see change, it would need all of us in sport and even the corporate world to support this initiative,” she said. “The biggest problem we have with tournaments right now is that the tournament comes, one team wins, and that is it. There’s no follow-up with the team.
“There’s no one working to actually secure proper sponsors for the teams. Phoenix Elite SA is trying to connect teams with corporate business, and that would definitely be the game changer for us.”
Recently, Phoenix Elite SA paid tribute to and celebrated the iconic former coach of Banyana Banyana and ex-Kaizer Chiefs‘ player, Joseph Mkhonza, for his contributions in paving the way for numerous current South African women’s football legends.
Mkhonza boasts over 30 years of experience in advancing women’s football in South Africa and remains active with his club, the Springs Home Sweepers, which earlier this year announced a transformative partnership with Mkhonza’s previous club, Kaizer Chiefs.
Sall said that when Mkhonza was honoured and celebrated, many former Banyana Banyana players, whom he had coached, were present.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s tournament, Sall said the players should anticipate a great deal of enjoyment, and she extended an invitation to fans of the beautiful game to get out and take in the action.
“A lot of our sponsors will be pulling through, like the Legends Barbershop, which has offered to give all the girls who need it a haircut on the day. And the teams will be able to meet the people behind all the sponsorship of the event,” she added.
“All I can say is that I truly believe in the sports’ industry. The more we stay together, we can definitely make this work for our girls.
“Ultimately, that is what is keeping girls and boys from the streets and getting involved in wrong things. It also allows us to support them within the sport and within their school careers as well,” she concluded.
FIXTURES
Boksburg Stadium
Group A
08:30 – Absalom Tete vs Diambars Sunwards
09:20 – Rustenburg City vs Silver Spears Sport
10:10 – Absalom Tete vs Rustenburg City
11:00 – Diambars Sunwards vs Silver Spears Court
11:50 – Absalom Tete vs Silver Spears Sport
12:40 – Diambars Sunward vs Rustenburg
Group B
08:30 – Albertho Girls’ Soccer Academy vs East Rand Ladies
09:20 – Kathorus United vs PCF Ladies
10:10 – Albertho Girls’ Soccer Academy vs Kathorus United
11:00 – East Rand Ladies vs PCF Ladies
11:50 – Albertho Girls’ Soccer Academy vs PCF Ladies
12:40 – East Rand Ladies vs Kathorus United
Semifinals
14:00
Winner A vs Runner-up B
Winner B vs Runner-up A
15:00
Curtain Raiser: Legends vs Elites
16:00
Final
