The South African Football Association (SAFA) has launched a R17 million sponsorship for women’s football in the country. Hollywoodbets became the first-ever commercial partner of women’s football in the country, which for many years has been hamstrung by lack of financial support.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the SAFA headquarters on Tuesday afternoon, SAFA President Danny Jordaan said they hope the partnership will further strengthen the clubs to accelerate the growth and development of professional women’s football in the country.
“We are really excited about this collaboration which we think is definitely a game-changer,” says Jordaan.
Video: SAFA launches Hollywoodbets Super League
The winner of the newly-launched Hollywoodbets Super League will walk away with a R2 million prize money, while the runner-up will pocket R1 million. The rest of the clubs will receive R150 000 each with the Player of the Season, Coach of the Season and Young Player of the Season each receiving R50 000.
#SAFA CEO Tebogo Motlanthe announces that some of the prize money payouts will include; Player of the year – R50 000; Coach of the year @ R50 000; Winner @ R2 million; Runners up @ R1 million; and the rest of the teams will get R150 000 each. #SABCNews #HollywoodbetsSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/y37lEj3gqg
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) May 18, 2021
The winner of the league will take part in the CAF Women’s Champions League with the winner of the Champions League set to take part in the FIFA Women’s Cup World Cup.
SAFA CEO, Tebogo Motlanthe has also announced that SAFA will also increase monthly grants to clubs.
Motlanthe says, “There will be an increase in monthly grants to the clubs.”
Jordaan: “The winner of the league will play in the Caf Women’s Champions league & the winner (thereof) will play in the FIFA Women’s Club World Cup. #SABCNews #HollywoodbetsSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/n3BaOTwNp4
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) May 18, 2021
Hollywoodbets Commercial Manager, Sandisiwe Bhengu says this sponsorship should help to tap into “a deep well of untapped talent” in the country.
#SABC COO, Ian Plaatjies, announces that every Sunday afternoon there will be a women’s football match broadcast live, with the possibility of more women’s football matches on TV in the future. #SABCNews #HollywoodbestSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/gPO3mrGg43
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) May 18, 2021
Banyana Banyana Coach, Desiree Ellis, hopes that the sponsorship will increase the pool of selection for the national women’s national football team. Banyana have made 12 appearances at the CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the finals five times.
#SABC COO, Ian Plaatjies, announces that every Sunday afternoon there will be a women’s football match broadcast live, with the possibility of more women’s football matches on TV in the future. #SABCNews #HollywoodbestSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/gPO3mrGg43
— Sipho King K Kekana (@KingKAzania) May 18, 2021
The sponsorship will run for one year with the option to renew.
