Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FORMED in March this year with an average age of 21, Getty Queens is filling the gap of inactivity and idleness that often drives young women into early relationships and drug and substance abuse by keeping them engaged through playing football.
The club, whose players range between 12 and 30 years, also provides a platform for talent identification.
Getty Queens, the brainchild of businesswoman and politician Gertrude ‘Getty’ Mutandi, draws players from across Mutare; with the sprawling suburb of Sakubva providing the bulk of the squad.
The iconic yet neglected Sports Oval is their training ground.
Under team manager Stembile Kupangwa and coaches Simba Kasayi and Willard Fore, Getty Queens were on Tuesday afternoon crowned champions of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Women’s Cup in Manicaland after a dramatic final that ended 0-0 and was decided 3-2 on penalties at Sakubva Stadium. Getty Queens got the better of city rivals Mutare City Queens.
The match was tightly contested, but goalkeeper Ashley Mutsigiri emerged as the heroine of the day. She was outstanding between the posts, saving three penalties during the shootout before stepping up herself to score the winning spot-kick to seal a 3-2 victory for Getty Queens.
For her outstanding performance, Ashley Mutsigiri was voted Player of the Match by fans and naturally became the crowd favourite.
Speaking after the match, Mutandi praised the girls for playing well and bringing the first trophy to the club’s cabinet.
“The girls football project is something we are proud of as a community. Apart from the valuable football skills they learn, we also have time to teach them how to navigate the male-dominated world. We also get to impart entrepreneurial skills to them so that they get the basics of how to stand on their own.
“The girls are also taught how to conduct themselves when dealing with men, especially when it comes to prevention of sexual abuse. It is also part of our curriculum as a club that the girls are enlightened on the dangers of drug and substance abuse. By now, most of them know the dangers associated with drug and substance abuse. At the end of the day, this is a girls project.
I was once a young girl and fully understand the challenges that they face when growing up. This is all for the love of the girl child,” said Mutandi.
Meanwhile, in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day men football final, Buffaloes cruised to a 2-0 win over Mozambican side Clube Desportivo Matchedje Chimoio.
