Lasses run riot
MUSTANGS, often referred to as wild horses, are the free-roaming horses of the North American west that are descended from horses brought to the Americas by the Spanish.
But there is nothing wild about the 28 females, ranging from 13 to 28, who train at the St Mark's church and school grounds in Westering. What started as Victoria High School girls' soccer team in the Pefa Women's League in 2009, is now one of the most successful women's clubs in the city.
In its short existence the club has won the Pefa KO cup twice, and finished as runners up in the Safa-NMB league for the past two season after finishing in third place the previous year. Last year they also won the award for the most improved women's team.
"A mustang is a symbol of courage, loyalty, passion, fighting spirit and strength. These are the qualities we instill in our teams and players," said Thobela Thoba who started the club together with Marlon Lewis and Kagan Assam, and was also responsible for coming up with the name.
Thoba (athletics) and Lewis (soccer) continue to coordinate the academy's soccer and athletics activities.
The general activities of the academy are managed and run by a 10-member executive committee which is elected at an annual meeting. Student volunteers also assist with coaching the teams.
In an unusual move the group registered Mustangs Sports Academy as a non-profit organisation (NPO).
"Our aim is to promote mass participation in girls soccer and athletics and we decided to register as an NPO to make access to funding.
"We are currently awaiting confirmation as a registered public benefit organisation as well as registration with SARS," said Thoba.
Mustangs is running a recreational programme called Mustangs Sports for Life at Montessori School in Walmer which caters for children between seven and 13.
The programme is designed to encourage children to be active and maintain a balanced healthy life style.
Meanwhile, Mustangs are going great guns in the Safa-NMB Women's League scoring 36 goals in five matches with none against.
