SAFA appoints new women’s football chief

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has appointed Romaney Pinnock as the Head of Women’s Football.

Pinnock is the Founding Director of the Cape Town-based women’s club, Badgers Football Academy, and has worked as a management consultant for over 10 years.

She also holds a FIFA Master in the Management, Law and Humanities of Sport, an MSc with a focus on Ecotoxicology from the University of Siena, and a Medical Honours and BSc in Genetics, both from the University of Cape Town.

“We have a long way to go in raising women’s football to the level it deserves to be in this country. This task will be hard, but I am excited by the challenge,’’ she told safa.net.

“With the support of the Association, broader stakeholders, sponsors and the brilliant people already doing great work in women’s football, we will create a lasting impact for the women’s game. Having a hand in ensuring that more girls and women can play football in safe and supportive environments is such a privilege and I look forward to what lies ahead,’’ added Pinnock.

As well as being a Director of Badgers Football Academy, Pinnock has held the roles of COO of The Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, Programme Manager for the Western Cape Education Department and has been a freelance strategy consultant, recently for UEFA, the University of Cape Town and the University of Zululand.

The appointment come two days before Banyana Banyana’s second appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup that is being hosted in Australia and New Zealand.

South Africa will take on Sweden on Sunday morning in their Group G opener.