Badgers Academy: empowering girls and women in Cape Town through football

Welcome to Moving the Goalposts, the Guardian’s new (and free) women’s football newsletter. Here’s an extract from this week’s edition. To receive the full version once a week, just pop your email in below.

It all began with a WhatsApp group. When repeated attempts to join men’s five-a-sides were knocked back, Romaney Pinnock decided to take matters into her own hands. “I put every woman I know in Cape Town into a group. I said I’m starting a football club.” It was in this moment that Badgers Academy was born.

It is hard to imagine now, five years on. What started as 10 women simply learning the game has developed into a female-owned non-profit organisation that has a far-reaching impact, with 149 women and girls now registered. With provision for 11 and five-a-side, as well as school activations and social activities, they have recently joined the South African Football Association (SAFA) and will take part in their local league this season.

They provide a safe and inclusive space where everyone is welcome: “We’re big on inclusivity. We don’t mind what your sexual orientation is, what your socioeconomic status is, any of that stuff. Because team sports are such a leveller.”

The women’s game is progressing across South Africa with the national team reaching their first World Cup in 2019. This weekend, the Sasol League (SAFA’s provincial women’s league) kicked off with around 3,800 players involved.

However, there are problems. In Cape Town, a city known for its socio-economic disparities, access to a traditionally male-dominated sport is challenging for many. Schools are under-funded and under-resourced, while lack of safety and poor infrastructure make it difficult for girls to participate. Badgers tackle this through