In Series One of former players ploughing back into the game they love, we kick off with Claudia Jessica Fernandes Raposo of JVW.
By any stretch of imagination, Claudia Raposo should have long walked away from the game of football – but love for the sport has kept her going.
She used to run out for JVW FC, who were at the time campaigning in the highest league level in South African women’s football, the Sasol League.
But the 36-year-old tore her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) — the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize your knee joint. The ACL connects your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia). It’s most commonly torn during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction — such as basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball.(Wikipedia)
Raposo sustained the injury not once, but twice – on both legs.
That was one of the reasons she stopped playing – but not the only one: she left on he own terms.
“I thought to myself I have achieved as much as I could by helping my team win the Sasol League, as well as playing at the highest level for women’s football in this country for over 13 years, and honestly, I’m getting too old to chase younger girls on the field.”
“And I always said to myself I would like to leave on a high, where years later players will still come and say, ‘yes, that Claudia Raposo was one hell of a player, and one strong defender’ and I feel I have achieved that,” said Raposo.
The former defender has always been passionate about the game of billions, as it runs in her blood.
Her late father was a goalkeeper.
“I have always been very passionate about my football since a little girl, I guess I got it from my late dad, Tony Raposo. He was a goalkeeper, a fantastic one at that. I used to be my dad’s shadow going to all his games, I guess the understanding and passion came from him,” added Raposo.
It was years later that she would follow her passion, and signed up for a Luso Africa FC in the Sasol League, playing as a left back or centre back.
She stayed for about five seasons and when it was time to move, she found herself at Croesus FC – in the same Sasol League, where she would run out for them for three years.
Her departure from the club was a painful one as this is where her first struggles with ACL injuries started.
Raposo did not play for over a year – a very long time for any athlete, but quitting was never on her mind.
“I tore my ACL and had to go for a total ligament replacement – so I was out of football for 16 months. But something in me said don’t give up – I had to learn to walk and play football again. I pushed myself very hard, both mentally and physically to get back to the game I love,” said Raposo.
She won the battle and was back in the then top flight of women’s football – but this time she was on the books of JVW FC in the Sasol League.
Raposo adds that she felt stronger than ever when she resumed playing, but two seasons in at her new club – she suffered the same tragedy, this time on the other leg.
She was on the side-lines for just under a year and after undergoing rehabilitation, the tough as nails defender continued to play for a further two seasons – but she knew her time was up, and decided to hang up her boots.
Not wanting to be away from the game, she chose to go into coaching.
She started by leading the JVW Girls U14 Development team, who were playing in the Easterns’ U14 Boys League.
Raposo then took a short break from the game and travelled overseas.
On her return she was placed in charge of the Senior Girls Team in the 2020/21 season, before being promoted to coach the Reserve side.
She also felt it proper to equip herself – and now holds a CAF C-Licence after attending a coaching course hosted by SAFA Ekurhuleni at the Germiston Football Club.
Not only is she coaching, but Raposo is part of the administration of thing at JVW – who now sit third on the Hollywoodbets Super League table with 20 points.
They have won six matches in 10 games, registering six wins, with two draws and as many losses.
