16th July, 2008



Last year Zimasa Mangali (aged 25 years old) was playing soccer for a community team near where he lives. Early this year, construction work at Nyanga Soccer Stadium meant that his team could no longer play locally.

With the loss of an important social network along with unemployment, Zimasa turned to alcohol and drugs to combat boredom. What at first started as an occasional habit quickly turned into an addiction to marijuana and Simasa spent his time in shebeens and hanging around the streets.

During the first Season of the 2008 FootyWILD Extreme competition, footyWILD Nyanga Development Officer Siphiwo Ngcwangu invited Zimasa and his friends to watch a footyWILD game between Nyanga and Khayelitsha. After being excited by the game and the skills involved Zimasa promised to come to training the next day. Zimasa has been playing for footyWILD Nyanga Blue Birds ever since.

footyWILD Western Cape Provincial Development Manager Allison Simons said �??It wasn�??t long before I recognised Zimasa�??s potential as a player and a leader and we were delighted when he was selected for the footyWILD Provincial Training Squad�??

Zimasa Mangali said, �??footyWILD was the reason I stopped drinking and smoking marijuana. I understand now that in order to be the best athlete I can I must focus on my health and on training and developing my footyWILD skills�?�. �??My life has changed so much since I became involved in footyWILD. Not only do I love playing the game, but also I have registered as a footyWILD volunteer and assist the sports development managers in the delivery of footyWILD Big 5 and Game Day programs in our region.

Allison Simons said �??Zimasa is a great example of how sport and in particular a planned, targeted and sustainable program like footyWILD can have such a positive impact on young people. Over the time that we have known him, Zimasa has developed into a well-respected coach and player, one who rarely misses training. He has recently been rewarded for his commitment to the footyWILD program by being employed as one of the ten stipend footyWILD coaches at the Nyanga A footyWILD Centre�?�.

Zimasa said �??If anyone told me a year ago that I would be selected to represent the Western Cape at the National Championships of footyWILD I wouldn�??t have believed them�?�. �??footyWILD is fun and exciting and now a big part of my life. My goal now is to get more of my friends involved so they can have the opportunities I do�?�.

The Association for the Reduction of Tobacco-related Harm (ARTH), AusAID (the Australian Government�??s Agency for International Development), Thuo Gaming and Costa Logistics support AFL SA and footyWILD across South Africa.

Giovanni Rizzo, Group General Manager, Grandslots said �??Grandslots�?? is extremely proud, and excited to be investing in the development of footyWILD in this country and at being a Major partner of the inaugural footyWILD National Championships. With major ties to Australia, through Tattersalls, it seems only fitting for us to assist in raising the profile of Aussie Rules across South Africa�?�

Event Details

When: Saturday 5th �?? Tuesday 8th July, 2008

Where: Senwes Park, Potchefstroom

About footyWILD and AFL South Africa

footyWILD is a breathtaking sport that combines the sublime kicking skills of soccer, the powerful tackling of rugby, the speed and agility of athletics and the aerial grace of basketball. Based on the Australian Rules Football (AFL) footyWILD attracts some 8,000 participants nationally with growth underpinned by a quality participation model extending from an introductory skills program for boys and girls through to Regional, Provincial and National leagues/competitions, International Cup Tours, national workshops and talent camps.