When Hollywoodbets came into women’s football, it was a gamechanger as they sponsored an elite women’s football league.
Some of the changes that were implemented are the individual Player of the Match prizes, every weekend the games are broadcast on television, and the company has also introduced end of the year award – rewarding players and coaches for the sterling work they have done throughout the season.
Over and above the prizemoney the individuals received, they were also given an all-expenses paid trip to the United Kingdom.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, the 2021 winners’ travel was held back.
But the trip was finally undertaken on Wednesday, 11 January with the winners boarding a flight to the UK.
Led by Hollywoodbets’ Indira Albuquerque, the entourage included:
- Nompumelelo Nyandeni (JVW FC) – Top Goal scorer [shared]
- Andisiwe Mgcoyi (Sundowns Ladies) – Top Goal scorer [shared]
- Nthabiseng Majiya (Richmond United) – Young Player of the Year
- Bambanani Mbane (Sundowns Ladies) – Player of the Year
- Regirl Ngobeni (UWC) – Goalkeeper of the Year
Upon arrival, they were greeted by the cold weather in London, but were kept warm by the excitement along with the experience.
Today (Friday, 13 January), the group was taken through a tour of the GTech Community Stadium – home of Brentford FC, then traveled to Jersey Road (Brentford FC training ground) and then took part in a training session with the Brentford Ladies team.
On Saturday (14 January) they are scheduled to watch what is expected to be a mouth-watering Premier League clash when Brentford FC hosts Bournemouth.
The hosts are ninth on the table, and boast an impressive three wins in their last five league game, while the visitors have lost five of their last five league clashes and find themselves in 16th place on the log standings.
In 15 meetings between the two sides, Brentford holds the advantage with six victories, four losses and five draws.
After a month-long break, the Women’s Super League returns in England – and the Hollywoodbets Super League award winners will be at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (15 January) for a top of the table clash between hosts Arsenal Women and Chelsea Women in what is billed to be the most important club match in European women’s football this weekend.
The Blues lead the pack on 27 points, followed by the Gunners in second position, three points adrift. Chelsea has won nine league games in a row, scoring 31 goals in 10 matches. The home side has played one match less, and have lost only league game this season.
The visitors have lifted the title for the last three seasons, while their London rivals last won the league in 2019.
Forty-thousand tickets have already been sold for the much-anticipated encounter.
The South Africans will fly back home on Monday night (16 January).
After winning their respective awards for two years running, Nyandeni and Majiya will then join the second group of award winners (2022 season) who will be travelling to Spain for a La Liga experience – all this in partnership with La Liga.
The 2022 individual award winners are:
- Jerry Tshabalala (Sundowns Ladies) – Coach of the Year
- Boitumelo Rabale (Sundowns Ladies) – Player of the Year
- Nthabiseng Majiya (Richmond United) – Young Player of the Year
- Nompumelelo Nyandeni (JVW) – Top Goal Scorer)
- Katlego Moletsane (Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies) – Goalkeeper of the Year
The date for the Spanish visit is yet to be announced.
By Matlhomola Morake
