Football is not for the faint hearted says Tharollo Lehlomela.

1.Tell us about yourself.

I'm Tharollo Lehlomela, 21 years of age. I was born in a small Town called Jane Furse-Mamone, in Limpopo where I completed my Grade 6 at a Primary School called Motsemogolo and left to Johannesburg for Grade 7-10 at Phoenix College of Johannesburg. I then completed my Grade 12 at Soshanguve South Secondary School in 2016, of which I was the President(leader) of the school.

I'm a TUT graduate in National Diploma in Office Management and Technology, currently doing Advanced Diploma in Administrative Information Management. Currently playing for Vikings Ladies F.C and I play central defence.

2. At what age did you start playing football?

In 2018, at the age of 19 I decided to trial for the TUT Ladies FC, those were my first football trials. I had no idea of what happens during trials as I only watched football and never played it. I got the opportunity to be part of the TUT ladies team for a few months before I joined the development team, Vikings Ladies FC later that year till this day. I never allowed fear to blind me of the great opportunities ahead of me.

I joined the Inter Res League on the same year, playing for Ekhaya Junction Residence where we lost to Minjonet Residence in the finals. Yet we managed to win a small tournament hosted by the SRC's.

3. Was your family supportive throughout your football journey?

Throughout my first season in football my family was not supportive at all. I used to play Squash at TUT in 2017, where I got a few medals and trophies. They got comfortable with me playing it and I got all their support. When I decided to try out a new sport, I believe to them I was just a confused somebody that didn't know what she wanted because I was prepared to leave something I was good at for something I never played before. I never held grudges on any of them because I understood that I had to prove my loyalty and dedication in football for them to trust and support me.

4. You were once a vice captain, throughout your period of being it, do you think you have achieved what you wanted to achieve as vice captain?

Being Vice Captain of Vikings Ladies FC in 2019 taught me that in life when you trust yourself enough to take risks and thrive to excel in everything you do no matter how much people undermine you, everything is possible. It was my second season in both football as a whole and the team, yet our coach still saw a leader in me, he trusted me with the team. It was one of my goals to captain the team some day, but I just didn't think it would be that soon, it was a long term goal achieved in a short period of time, through hard work and dedication. It's an achievement I will forever be grateful for.

The Aim was to win the Absa league and be promoted to sasol, but unfortunately when the time isn't right, nothing can be done. God knows the greater plans He has for us, we follow His lead.

5. What does the word team spirit mean to you, and do you think your current team practices team spirit?

A good team spirit is an attitude that allows people to work well together, which as Vikings Ladies we fail to practice. We are divided as a team, with everyone looking out for themselves. Having a good team spirit starts by supporting each other individually, with everyone happy and feeling included in the team, we create a comfortable atmosphere. When you see great work from a fellow teammate, give out praises and show admiration, that way they will be encouraged to work even more harder and see that the team recognizes their potential.

6. How do you keep on pushing in football even when people try to bring you down?

Football isn't for the faint hearted. People will always have something to say, no matter how much you try. In life you need to stand up for yourself and learn that not every situation needs your reaction. The time you will waste entertaining all the bad things said about you should be invested in something better and positive, on how to improve yourself and become a better player. People wouldn't have something to say about you if you weren't a threat to them, so be happy that you are intimidating most and don't let anything they say drain you down. "A dumb player is a happy player", kill them with silence and hardwork.

7. What is your goal in football life?

When I started playing football in 2018 I told myself that in Three years to come, I wanna see myself playing like one of the good Defenders of all times, Thembeka(Major) a TUT Central Defence player. I didn't want to look far, she is an inspiration and an icon at the same time. She made me fall in love with the Central Defence position and be comfortable in it.

I've always hoped to play Varsity Cup and USSA games. Unfortunately I managed to reach one goal in playing for the Section B Women's USSA Tournament in 2019 where we lost to WSU 1 in the finals.

I couldn't manage to trial for the Varsity Cup tournament as I had an injury at that time. It broke my heart walking in crutches whilst my peers were having the best time of their lives. I told myself that I'm still young and capable, things will workout in good times. With them winning the Varsity Cup Title, I had forgotten that I wasn't physically part of them, because spiritual I was there. It was an excitement indeed.

Now that I see an improvement in my play, learning from the best, the newly set goal is to play for the National Women's League. It's a goal I'm willing to sweat for.

8. Who is the sports icon that influenced you the most and why?

Thembeka(Major), The Great Wall of TUT. Not that I don't watch others play out there, but we all have different people that we look out to. I got touched by a local player that plays a very beautiful football. A humble and hardworking individual that is focused both academically and sports wise.

When I joined the TUT Ladies FC in 2018, I was way below their standard as I've said already that it was my first season in football. The TUT Ladies' coach believed in me more than anyone else could. He didn't let go of me because he saw all the potential I had, he made me believe in myself more than anything. That made players like Major to never look down on me as well. She always made sure that I did the right thing, and told me to work hard and never give up. Her shouting in the field never gave me the wrong impression of her. I've always believed that when someone shows you the right path by shouting it shows that they care and they know that you are capable of doing better.

She would come to our league games when I joined Vikings Ladies FC and coach from the stands. That encouraged many of us to work harder and know that the people we are looking out to are watching us.

She was also an influence in me changing positions permanently from Right Back to Center Back.

9. Any motivation you would like to share with players.

If you are not going to do it with Love and Passion, do not do it at all. Playing football is like going to school, getting homeworks, tests, assignments and so forth. If you not willing to do them with an open heart and dedication, the results will always be poor. You need to love and respect something in order to appreciate it.