07 Jun 2022

Social soccer is bustling with fervour and joy thanks to its followers.

Every Sunday, online publication Killer Pass shares rib-cracking pictures from various grounds where players and patrons seem to enjoy their outings. Many of these pictures attract trolling, mocking and interest while also turning memes.

Although ‘unjustly’ dubbed an alcohol drinking excuse, social soccer has been demystified and one wonders what could have stoked the tilt towards the game that was hitherto abhorred by some owing to some ‘unjustified negative stereotypes’ attached to it.

“I will like to correct perceptions that social soccer is useless and mischievous. Those views are misguided as they are misapplied by those who judge from a distance and never take time to learn what really happens,” Odirile Mokane of Network Social Club said.

Network Social club is based in Ramotswa and hosts their games at Baitlotli Junior School, which they have adopted.

Other members of teams like Stress Social Club and Pinnacle Vetslol Monko (PV Monko) Social Club use social soccer to participate in charitable works to benefit communities. 

While Sunday soccer lovers, especially men have been accused of dereliction of manly duties owing to their love for the game, Mokane refutes these claims saying his team amongst other things encouraged members to marry and be responsible.

“Rebranding was done due to the fact that we wanted people to see social soccer differently as we wanted to have a platform where we will engage, educate and share life ideas as well as to inspire and empower people,” said Tshepiso ‘Slow’ Chelane chairperson of PV Monko.

Chelane said instead, they encouraged members to take their families to the team events to avoid complaints of some being left home the whole day.

Many of these teams are not strict about joining qualifications save for age which differs according to teams. With PV Monko even a less than 18 years old can join provided they have a parental or guardian consent.

It however, seems that the social soccer euphoria has swept even the mainstream soccer players who are usually misplaced in the style of play. 

“The sad part about the growth of our Sunday soccer is that it has now become more enticing to the young folks who still have a future in mainstream football”  Stress Social Club public relations officer Karabo ‘Skats’ Magodi shared in an interview.

Magodi also concedes that the urge for social soccer had gained massive traction. “The numbers at Sunday soccer games are also increasing at an alarming rate, football pitches are always filled on Sundays,” he observed.

While striving for sustenance and continually contributing to charitable causes, teams attract sponsors and engage in income generating exercises.

PV Monko for example, are in a partnership with Pinnacle Geomatics and Vetsol and hence PV Monko.

In addition PV Monko sells advertising slots in its kits and replicas, according to chairperson Chelane.

Many other teams like Network have garnered partnerships with some clothing brands and other companies in a reciprocal arrangement.

Although Chelane would not be drawn into comparing mainstream soccer to social soccer, Magodi has no reservations in playing the comparison.

 “It is also amazing how Sunday outfits manage to garner sponsorships more than the mainstream clubs,” Magodi said as he finds branding, marketing and merchandise of social soccer ‘on another level compared to mainstream clubs.’

Mokane of Network lightly warned the mainstream soccer of competition noting how social soccer was run and marketed far much better.

“Mainstream football better get their houses in order or else social soccer will and is already outshining some of the teams. Many of these clubs have members contributing some annual and monthly subscriptions while also selling teams’ merchandise to augment their revenue bases,” he said.

After accumulating funds, teams engage in charity causes such as distribution of sanitary pads at schools, helping the needy as well as the team members who are in dire need at the time.

Magodi of Stress SC said his team had a devoted committee that drives community and social responsibility mandate. The same arrangement is found in other teams with the intention of debunking social soccer and presenting it as a worthy course. Ends