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SPORTS COUNCIL NOTES
X-Nita Stuurman, UWC Sports Council 2020-2021
As a woman and as the Chairperson of the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Sports Council, it is a huge privilege and honour to be able to represent our Council. Education and information that surrounds gender equality have been on the rise, more accessible and widely discussed by the broader community. As a young woman, I can’t remember a time from my adolescence where equality wasn’t an important topic of discussion around me. Now, we’ll be the first to say that the sporting industry is making steps towards an equal future and this includes UWC Sport.
This is such an amazing and important stage for women to level the playing field in terms of gender equality. We started with Ms Cloete becoming the administrator of women’s football, and the head coach and manager of the women’s football teams are also women. These are all fierce and powerful individuals who have taken the first steps towards a better future for women in sport. More recently, UWC hosted its first gender equality workshop. I hope we will have more of these types of events in future, allowing us to empower each other, reach new heights and make history.
Sport is a very powerful tool in contributing to achieving gender equality. I know that UWC Sport has transformed lives and changed the reality of many women athletes. Our hallowed halls tell the stories of women who now play in professional teams, women
who received their first job and are changing their families’ lives for the better, women who lead groups on gender equality and the fight against racism, and women who help others achieve more.
These are the stories we have the responsibility to multiply. There are many more amazing stories to tell of women in sport at UWC and in our country, and this is only the beginning.
As a fellow student, I also know it can be difficult to study online and focus on sports at the same time. Time management is of utmost importance and I wish all of you the best in your endeavours as we near the end of another academic year.
To all the athletes — both male and female — heading into their upcoming season, we are 100% behind you. The Sports Council wishes you all the best and remember: You can do anything you put your mind to.
Here’s to another thrilling season of #UWCSport.
