The Desiree Ellis Soccer League
The Desiree Ellis Soccer League was founded in March 2007 in partnership with CHOSA and Baphumelele Children's Home.
As a former captain of Banana Banana (South Africa's women's soccer), Desiree Ellis is one of the top Women’s Soccer players in South Africa. She is also an activist for women’s rights, particularly around issues of girl’s involvement in sport and recreation activities. Desiree embodies many of the characteristics that the soccer league seeks to encourage in its youth participants.
The Desiree Ellis Soccer League is an inter-children’s home league with participants from children’s organizations all over the Cape Townships. The league is a place for 140 boys and girls ages 10-17 to play the game they love in a safe and positive environment.
In addition to providing an enjoyable recreational activity, the soccer teams will serve as channels through which education about general health, conflict resolution, HIV/AIDS and self-esteem building can take place. As an innovative project that seeks to break down racial boundaries and stigma, the league is not only coeducational and interracial, but also welcomes the participation of non-orphaned but disadvantaged children from local communities.
Participating organizations in the Cape Metropole include:
Baphumelele Children’s Home
Boys and Girls Town Kenilworth
Boys Town Macassar
Durbanville Children's Home
Leliebloem House
Heatherdale
Marsh Memorial House
Highway Home
G.C. Williams House
The Homestead
