The 2021/22 season of the Hollywoodbets Super League is upon us, and several teams have started making their way back to pre-season training .
Many sides will no doubt have different personnel for various reasons.
Last year’s debutants in the women’s league, JWV FC, is one such club.
They have lost the services of long-time first team coach, Ciara Picco.
After a five year stay at the club, she has decided to pursue other interests.
“My time at JVW FC has been amazing. I have experienced growth, but the most important for was seeing the players grow over this time – that has been the real prize for me,” said Picco.
“I leave with fond memories – the spontaneity with which the players and staff from various upbringings and backgrounds can coexist in a successful environment packed with enjoyment too.”
Picco, a 2020 Ekurhuleni Women in Sports Awards Coach of the Year winner, has a job lined up as a Therapy Support Worker at Royal Free London NHS.
But she will not be lost to the game.
“I’m heading back into another great passion of mine, healthcare, specifically rehabilitation. I have found a unique opportunity to use my skills to further uplift people in the community. I won’t stray too far from football. Once I am settled in my new role, I see myself finding my way back to the side lines,” added Picco.
Picco was part of the driving force behind JVW’s success at the 2019 Sasol League National Championships held in Tsakane, east of Johannesburg.
They defeated Limpopo outfit, Ma-Indies in the final to be crowned overall league champs.
Their first season in the top flight of women’s football was what dreams are made of.
“We had a brilliant squad with so much dynamism. Young energetic players like (Gabby) Salgado and more experienced players like (Nomathemba) Ntsibande and (Nompumelelo) Nyandeni. Every single player, no matter the skill or level of experience, played their part. Extremely important was that the balance was kept and much was achieved,” she said.
So solid was the team that they went toe to toe with eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the early stages of the season, but lost some ground, finishing in fourth place with 16 wins in 26 outings.
JVW was also the first side to put a halt to Sundowns’ unbeaten run when they held them to a draw.
“We played ourselves into some fantastic form early on in the league, unfortunately, there were one or two wobbles. Not to single any player out, but the injury to (Mamello) Makhabane in our match against the University of Western Cape sent shockwaves through the team and it took a bit of time for us to settle again,” said Picco.
“Not only that, but also the departure of a few of our young starting players before the halfway mark of the season to further their football overseas, took its toll on us. It was another change that we were not able to quickly to settle into.”
On a parting shot, Picco says while they are grateful for the existence of the Super League, a lot still needs to done to get it to the levels of other leagues around the world.
“Any team on their day will give you a good run for your money. As is so often the case, the scores in this league don’t show the value of teams. I think a lot of these inconsistencies come from the fact that the players and clubs cannot run at a professional level,” concluded Picco, a 2020 Ekurhuleni Women in Sports Awards Coach of the Year.
“Coaches, administrators and players share their time between football and actual jobs to put food on the table. Further investment or a more considerate use of standing investment, as well as learning and partnerships in how to generate income as a club, will certainly take this league to the next level, I have no doubt about that.”
By Matlhomola Morake
