Player shares her experience and uplifts young upcoming superstars

Tell us about yourself

I go by the name of Ofentse Selepe, also known as Bra Stix, my teammates usually call me that. I reside in Westview Pretoria and I’m currently doing my final year in B-Tech Business Administration. Currently playing for Vikings Ladies FC and the position I play for is central midfield and defense.

At what age did you start playing football and did your family support you ever since?

I started playing football at the age of 11 and this was back in 2003. Well yes, my family supported me in everything I did. Choosing football was an ultimatum for my father. I played different kinds of sports since I was 8 or 9; I was very passionate about cricket, football, and kickboxing. I excelled at all three so the advancement in my development was strenuous on my parents as they could not commit me to all three sports as they don't come cheap.

I eventually chose football over everything else which was in 2005 and my parents sent me to a sports school. The name of the school was Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School of Focus Learning, the education system wasn’t as strong as my father wanted it to be so I had to change schools.

Overall I would say my parents have been supportive of my football life. I just wish my dad could have seen me play at these different levels before he passed.

If you could change something in your current football team what would it be and why?

I would change the structure of management, our lack of association with the university, the promotional system in terms of development players transitioning into the first team as well as disciplinary issues among players. I would change all these because I feel like Vikings Ladies deserve better for their time and dedication.

As I did some research on you, I found out that you once played for an A team, if you were given a chance to go back would you go back?

No, I wouldn't go back. Unfortunately, a woman's football career is significantly shorter than our male counterparts. I believe I have played my role in the success of TUT ladies football for the past 10 years, I have gone from playing in the Sasol league for TUKS at the age of 15 to signing with TUT ladies in 2010, which played for a lower division(ABSA) because I strongly believed in development. In God's willing we won the ABSA league, the playoffs and SASOL league was our home for a couple of years and we kept on working hard to reach another level. I retired from playing professionally in 2012 and became a manager for the TUT ladies team. It is then that I realized that I loved developing talent more than competing because I have won so much with TUT at the provincial and national levels. Vikings Ladies FC was founded in the 2016/2017 season and I was fortunate to be part of the new development structure and had the opportunity to guide the younger players.

What is your goal in football life?

My goal is to make women of football included and recognized. That's why I have started the Annual Women's Regional Soccer Tournament and Her 5's under my company, The Sports Hub. Those who don't know Her 5’s, it is a 5 aside tournament for women only.

I want to make a difference and not just speak about it.

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

Growing up I have idolized Portia Modise and Veronica Phewa. Something about them said football that was me right there. It's kind of an unexplainable feeling. Football is like a religion and my pastors are Portia and Veronica. I wanted to be as great as they were.

Any motivation you would like to share with players.

Respect football, it will respect you back.

Talent won’t get you there

Hard work won’t get you there

Persistence will

Don’t give up!