Cape Town-born Shilene Booysen is not one shy away from a challenge.
Proof of evidence lies in the fact that she was a Performance Analyst under very strict and professional coaches, both foreigners – Vera Pauw at Banyana Banyana, and Stuart Baxter at Bafana Bafana.
When Pauw left, Booysen continued in her role under the new sheriff in charge, Desiree Ellis, as well as assistant Thinasonke Mbuli.
The trio, along with the entire technical team, led the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana to silver at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana in 2018, as well as maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification in France in 2019.
The former goalkeeper took up another daunting challenge when she joined Pauw in the USA at Houston Dash as her assistant coach.
Until recently Booysen was head coach of the South Sudan Senior Women’s National team over a two-year period, and when her contract expired in December last year she did not renew.
Now she is heading to her second FIFA Women’s World Cup in a row with Banyana, but this time as a Technical Advisor – teaming up again with Ellis and Mbuli, as well as former national team defender and captain, Simphiwe Dludlu, who comes in as an assistant coach.
CentreCircle.online caught up with Booysen after her return from Türkiye with the South African Senior Women’s National Team to find out what her role entails.
You bid farewell to the South Sudan Senior Women’s National Team, what is the reason for not renewing?
Basically, it was a communication breakdown. Since there was no agreement on a way forward, I think when my contract ended and we had no agreement in place, I left the country.
Was it an emotional parting of ways?
As a coach you get used to moving around and leaving important people behind. While you can, you make a difference, and it was actually a lot less emotional than I expected. It might be that I have reached a new level of maturity in my coaching career. Some of the players and I have of course promised to stay in touch. Also, I will be supporting many of the people that started the Non-profit organization (NPO) with me for the female athletes in SSD.
How did you deliver the news and what was their (team and FA) response?
It is difficult to answer this question, as I was not able to officially have a goodbye with the players. Some individuals knew that my contract was ending and because I had no discussions with the SSFA, it just seemed that the next step was to move on. I think I left a huge part of my heart in South Sudan and now it is time to heal.
How would you describe the last two years career-wise?
Challenging, but so rewarding. As coaches we have the experience of what we have done before to get though the next steps in our career and on the next stage. Everything I had done before I went to SSD prepared me to overcome most of the challenges I faced there. It wasn’t always easy, but it was so worth it. I can only thank everyone involved for the opportunity I was given to be a part of that program. I created an awareness around how female footballers should be coached and how they want to be treated. The players themselves rose to a new level of development and that gave me the greatest satisfaction.
You said in one interview that you were personally changed during your time in SSD, please elaborate.
My heart will always be a part of what has been built there. Going from South Africa to SSD has made me aware of the lack of so many things in South Sudan but it also made me realise that we can make a difference even in the face of adversity. Some of the players and staff believe I gave them the courage to speak up, I think they have always had the courage, but they just needed someone to point it out to them. The players and staff I have been involved with have shown me that life is about more than just existing. I am looking forward to seeing so much more coming out of SSD, especially with the women and the awareness programs we have created around them. They have a voice now and they are not afraid to use it.
It appears you made a huge difference in your time there…
I know I made a difference, but I also believe that they made a lot of difference within me. I love coaching so much more because of them. The players were resilient, so incredibly brave, and just wanted to get better. Believing in them gave them hope and a better future – two of our players are currently on their way to Europe to play professionally. This is very huge for the kind of program we had in South Sudan. The NPO we started is in full swing now and is being run by many of the girls and women from the different female athlete organisations. Our motto was always, being the difference, our challenge to change. Creating awareness around menstrual poverty especially for athletes, GBV and ending child marriages were some of our main focus points and I think it will continue to be.
You are now back with Banyana Banyana…
I have decided to take up a position of Technical Advisor with the Banyana Banyana team until after the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. Beyond that, my management team is looking at several opportunities.
What is the role of a Technical Advisor?
A Technical Advisor provides expert knowledge and guidance in their particular field. I particularly have an expertise in analysis and know most of the teams that will be participating in the World Cup. My support will be to the technical team to assist in effectively implementing the plans that we will devise to make sure we perform at our optimum best when we are at the World Cup; breaking down every element that we will face together with the analysis team to make sure we train and prepare for every detail and eventuality.
Having worked with Banyana Banyana before, what went through your mind when you were approached for that role, and what made you accept it?
Hmmmm, I guess you are asking if it was a difficult choice? When we were at WAFCON 2022 (Editor: Booysen was in Morocco as part of the Technical Study Group – TSG – working for CAF), I was already approached so I had enough time to think about it. I knew my contract at SSFA would be coming to an end and even if I got an employment contract elsewhere to start immediately, the SAFA offer was something I would have considered having written into that employment contract. I took my time, spoke to many individuals, from some of the technical staff and other support staff at Banyana Banyana as well as the SAFA Technical Director. What I think finally convinced me, was the conversation I had with coach Desiree. She wanted my support and I wanted to help. We often laugh about it, but we complement each other very well – she is the soft/disciplined player-manager type, I am the tough calculated and highly critically analytical type. And of course, it will give me some time to spend at home before making a final decision on my next move. I am fully committed to Banyana Banyana for the next couple of months and I will do everything in my power to help them become even more successful than they already are. I am so looking forward to this role.
After being away from the team for so long, how did it feel to be back?
Honestly, it felt a bit strange. The players and staff though made me feel like I had never left, although it has been two years. The role I had before is different from the one I am currently occupying, so there was an adjustment that needed getting used to.
After the two matches in Turkey, where do you think we are in terms of readiness?
Closer to where we were before we got there. I think we still have some work to do, but Coach Desiree has a plan, and we will make ensure it is effectively executed to make sure that everyone is ready when the tournament starts.
As a Capetonian and woman involved in football, how did you feel to see Vasco da Gama basically disappear after just one season in the elite league? (Editor: Vasco da Gama sold its Hollywoodbets Super League status to TS Galaxy Queens)
Although I understand that it is costly to run a semi-professional outfit in the women’s division, I am disappointed in the manner the club was sold. I know a few of the players in the team and it was devastating for them to find out at the last minute that the team was sold to a club outside the province. They now need to find other clubs and I think it would have been more respectful to keep them in the loop. We have two professional clubs in Cape Town that might both have been interested if given the option (not sure if they were approached) but yes, it was a sad day for Cape Town to lose the Hollywoodbets Super League spot, and of course for the players.
We saw many teams lose and acquire new players, and I know it’s early days, but what’s your take on the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League season – especially looking at the three new teams and Sundowns Ladies’ dominance?
I think/hope this season will be a lot more competitive. Yes, teams have strengthened their teams and I am happy to see that. It is great for the growth and progress of the women’s game. Looking forward to great season where hopefully Sundowns Ladies will not run away with it again.
What, for you, do you think is missing in the women’s league – if at all – to make it stronger?
The answer is simple: it must just become professional. If you have the best players playing in the league it will of course force a high-performance mindset as it will mean players will be training to compete and that will be their only jobs. Also, we will attract some of the best players on the continent, which will mean a rise in the growth and strength of the current league, but also of the national teams.
Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group G alongside Sweden, Italy and Argentina at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, scheduled for 20 July to 20 August.
FULL BANYANA BANYANA WORLD CUP MATCH GROUP STAGES FIXTURES:
South Africa vs Sweden
Sunday, 23 July 2023
Wellington Regional Stadium
WELLINGTON/TE WANGANUI-A-TARA
New Zealand
17h00 local time (04h00 SA Time)
Argentina vs South Africa
Friday, 28 July 2023
Dunedin Stadium
DUNEDIN/OTEPOTI
New Zealand
12h00 local time (23h00 SA Time)
South Africa vs Italy
Wednesday, 2 August 2023
Wellington Regional Stadium
WELLINGTON/TE WANGANUI-A-TARA
New Zealand
19h00 local time (06h00 SA Time)
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 full match schedule is available for download
By Matlhomola Morake
