Go Sisters World Series 2009 took place on 9th May, and proved that the 'Go Sisters' movement is going from strength to strength. This year saw almost 500 participants, a considerable increase from last year's 100 participants! 

Go Sisters has been active since 2001 in Zambia, and is aimed specifically at empowering females though keeping active-  to help young girls to build stronger bodies, stronger minds and a brighter future. Although Go Sisters operates as a year-round programme, 2009 was only the second World Series of what promises to continue as a successful annual event to unite 'sisters' and supporters globally.

Sharon Museke provides us with a round-up of the events in Zambia, which is followed by a match report of the Stirling final by Andrew Jenkin.

ZAMBIA

Go Sisters held events in many different Zambian communities, facilitated by EduSport staff and Action Team Leaders. The response this year was incredibly encouraging, seeing 16 all-female teams from 7 regions in Lusaka taking part, in what was reported as a series of fun and noisy events!

The 2009 World Series closely echoed last year's theme of female empowerment and encouraging female involvement and participation in sport. Further messages added this year incorporated human rights and HIV/AIDS, following EduSport's focus on sharing information through movement games.

Focus on Communities

Events were held in all seven of the following communities: Mandevu, Zingalume, Chawama, Kafue, Bauleni, Kalingalinga and Chilenje.

In Mandevu, 62 girls participated at the event and three games were played. The first game was played by 2 model teams, both coached by Naomi, and the game ended 2-0. The winning team then played against a team from Chipata community, coached by Grace, which resulted in a 0-0 draw.
In the Western area of Lusaka, Zingalume and George Community played each other, with a total of 48 girls attending the event. The game ended with a 0-0 draw.

In Chawama community,  two model teams 'Muchinga' (coached by Miracle) and Eastern Warriors (coached by Sarah) played against each other. Easter Warriors stormed to a 2-0 victory, whilst the rest of the 42 participants cheered their teams on.

Go Sisters proved that it is not exclusively for females, as the Kafue Town Girls' team played against a local boys' team, Life Bridge Boys. Well done to the girls, who narrowly lost in a tight 3-2 game. A similar scene was witnessed in Bauleni, where the girls' U-15 team took on the boys' U-12s, who won 5-2. Bauleni was also the only area where four sports code games took place.

A 7-a-side match was played at Kalingalinga Basic School between two girls' teams. Both played well, reflected in the 2-1 scoreline. In Chilenje Central Region, two teams coached by Febby and another by Patience played, resulting in a 3-2 victory for Febby's team, and an encouraging participation rate of 30.

Congratulations to all participants! However, participation in the actual games was just a small part of what Go Sisters hopes to achieve through the World Series. Awards distributed to participants took the form of school materials, such as books and pens, emphasising EduSport's commitment to combining sport with education. Sharon reports that one of the girls from Chipata community, Bessi Njobvu, said that her mother almost stopped her from playing football, but when she saw the books she was encouraged that EduSport not only encourage sports, but is also education.

UNITED KINGDOM

Go Sisters events in the UK were based in London and Stirling. Rather than participation and education, the UK events hope to promote the Go Sisters and Edusport cause, and succeeded in raising over £1000 between the two events.

Andrew Jenkin gives us a round-up of the Stirling final, which saw Peter Bilsborough Select triumph over Raleigh Gowrie Select 4-2 in a closely-fought game:

A second half hat-trick from Rona MacIntosh put the game out of Raleigh Gowrie Select’s reach in the ‘Go Sisters’ Charity game which took place at the University of Stirling’s five star sport facilities.

Players paid to compete, with all profits going to Go Sisters, which in turn will be spent on development through sport and female empowerment the under-served areas of Lusaka. The game was evenly contested and played in a light hearted manner (despite the rain), but guts and determination from both sides prevailed and saw for an entertaining game which could really could have gone either way.

Raleigh Gowrie’s side took the lead when Sam Lister’s shot scuffled into the corner of the Goalkeeper’s net. However, their advantage lasted little over three minutes as Kim Cooke struck from the result of a corner just before the break.

Allegations of foul play and bringing the match into disrepute abounded when Peter Bilsborough’s team were questionably handed Dutch courage in the form of Champagne during a rousing half time manager’s talk. Any critics of his managerial style would have been put in their place as his inspirational briefing clearly worked wonders for his side as they stormed into a convincing lead early in the second half. MacIntosh scored the first of her three as after taking the ball round two defenders she eventually slid in and looped the ball over the oncoming Green’s keeper Danielle Stewart.

MacIntosh then doubled her tally for the day shortly after. Once played in by a team mate brace looked inevitable and she coolly slotted the ball into the far corner of Green’s goal. She later completed her hat trick in similar style to give the score line an arguably flattering look at 4-1 to the Blues.
Some dignity was however added to the game’s complexion as in a Zambian manner; all the team and subs were thrown up top for a corner which was eventually converted by Louise Dawson just prior the game’s final whistle. Despite the score line and rain, there were smiles all round and afterwards food and warmth was provided by the University of Stirling’s Gannochy Sport Centre to reward the competitor’s good work for a good cause.

The event in London was also a great success (see picture).