Hollywoodbets and SAFA Boost South Africa’s Women’s Football

South Africa’s premier women’s football league just received a major boost in its quest for growth and recognition. In a bold vote of confidence, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has renewed its partnership with Hollywoodbets, reaffirming a shared commitment to elevate the women’s game to new heights. The renewed sponsorship deal means the Hollywoodbets Super League – the top flight of women’s football in South Africa – will continue to flourish with crucial financial backing and expanded visibility.

“The renewal of sponsors in a tough economy must be applauded in the growth of women’s football” said Lydia Monyepao, SAFA CEO

Announced amid a challenging economic climate, this partnership renewal is more than just a business arrangement – it’s a statement of faith in women’s sport. SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao lauded Hollywoodbets’ decision to stay on board, especially when many sponsors are tightening their belts.

“The renewal of sponsors in a tough economy must be applauded in the growth of women’s football,” Monyepao said, underscoring how vital such support is for the game’s development. 

She noted that SAFA’s recent launch of the South African Women’s Football Strategy further demonstrates the federation’s focus on building the women’s game, and Hollywoodbets has “put their money where their mouth is” by backing that vision with tangible support.

The Hollywoodbets Super League was founded in 2019 and has since expanded to 16 teams from across the country, serving as a proving ground for talented female players. By renewing their sponsorship, Hollywoodbets is helping guarantee financial support for all clubs in the league ensuring teams have the resources needed to train, travel, and compete at a high level. 

This kind of stability is rare in women’s sports and signals to players that the league is here to stay. Monyepao, herself a former Banyana Banyana (South Africa’s women’s national team) player, knows first-hand the impact such investment can have. Her goal, she says, is for SAFA to be “at the forefront in developing girls who play a role in our society into women.” 

Through the Super League’s growth, many players have earned opportunities abroad as professional players and coaches, a trend Monyepao calls “a testament to the value partners add to the lives of women in football.” With corporate backing, dreams that once seemed distant – from local township pitches to international stadiums – are becoming reality for South Africa’s female footballers.

The renewed SAFA–Hollywoodbets partnership is about more than money; it’s about building a vibrant platform for women athletes. In just a few seasons, the Hollywoodbets Super League has become a beacon of progress, providing female athletes with a stage to showcase their talent and compete at the highest level. 

Hollywoodbets’ continued support reinforces an unwavering commitment to advancing women’s sport in South Africa. Both SAFA and Hollywoodbets share a vision to foster a league that is fiercely competitive yet deeply inspirational, paving the way for South Africa to become a dominant force in global women’s footballhipther.com. Each match in the league is not only a battle for three points, but also part of a larger movement to raise the profile of women’s football nationwide.

Monyepao highlighted how this partnership directly fuels players’ dreams. With sustained funding, young girls coming through the ranks can aspire to a professional career at home, knowing the league is robust and well-supported. “Our aim is to be at the forefront,” she explained, in turning today’s girls into tomorrow’s stars. 

The evidence of progress is clear: “Through this league we have seen more players and more women leaving our shores to work as players, coaches, etc. This is a testament of the value partners add into the lives of women in football,” Monyepao said . 

In other words, the league is now a launchpad for talent – graduates of the Super League are securing contracts overseas and even feeding into Banyana Banyana’s talent pool, strengthening the national team. Each success story abroad traces its roots back to local pitches and the support structures that nurtured that player’s development.

One of the most exciting aspects of the renewed partnership is the boost it gives to the league’s visibility. For the upcoming season, SAFA has secured an unprecedented broadcast deal with the national broadcaster SABC. Over 50 of the season’s matches will air live on SABC 1, one of the country’s prime free-to-air channels, with additional games on the SABC Sport channel and streaming on SABC+. 

This means fans across South Africa – from big cities to rural towns – can watch women’s football in action on readily accessible platforms. The sight of women’s league games on mainstream television is a game-changer: it brings the excitement of the league into living rooms nationwide and sends a powerful message that women’s football is just as worthy of prime coverage as any other sport.

Monyepao believes this exposure will inspire a new generation of players. The SABC broadcasts create “a great platform for our players to inspire the next generation,” she said, noting that when young girls see their heroes scoring goals and making headlines on TV, it ignites their own dreams of one day doing the same. 

The impact is cyclical – increased visibility attracts more fans and young participants, which in turn grows the sport’s talent base and audience even further.

“This continued partnership underscores our dedication to inspiring young girls across the country, showing them that with passion and perseverance, they too can become stars like the heroes they look up to," said Zandile Dlamini, Hollywoodbets spokesperson

From Hollywoodbets’ perspective, the sponsorship is as much about social impact as it is about sports. Zandile Dlamini, Hollywoodbets spokesperson, expressed the company’s pride in renewing the collaboration with SAFA, calling it a reflection of “our shared commitment to the growth and professionalisation of women’s football in South Africa.” 

Hollywoodbets isn’t just lending its name to the league – it’s actively championing the cause of gender equality in sports. “This continued partnership underscores our dedication to inspiring young girls across the country,” Dlamini said, “showing them that with passion and perseverance, they too can become stars like the heroes they look up to”. 

For countless youngsters, seeing a major brand steadfastly support women’s football sends a clear signal that their ambitions are valid and achievable. It elevates the heroes of the Hollywoodbets Super League – the players and coaches – as role models whose stories are worth celebrating.

Ultimately, the renewed SAFA–Hollywoodbets partnership symbolizes a renewed era of hope and momentum for women’s football in South Africa. It’s a partnership that goes beyond the balance sheet; it carries the weight of years of advocacy to give women athletes the stage they deserve. 

By securing both the financial foundation and the broad exposure of televised matches, this deal addresses two of the biggest hurdles that women’s sports often face. The league’s athletes can now worry less about whether their clubs can afford travel or equipment, and focus more on their performance on the pitch. Fans, meanwhile, can follow their teams more easily, building a loyal supporter culture around the women’s game.

The commitment from SAFA and Hollywoodbets also serves as a challenge to other stakeholders in South African sports – a challenge to match this energy and investment in women’s athletics. It shows that empowering women’s football is not just a nice-to-have, but a necessity for the sport’s growth and the nation’s sporting identity. 

Each time a game is broadcast live, each time a young girl kicks a ball imagining herself as the next superstar, the impact of this partnership is felt.

As the new season kicks off, there’s a palpable sense of optimism in the air. The Hollywoodbets Super League is charging forward with renewed energy: players are training harder, knowing the country will be watching; coaches are scouting deeper for talent, knowing the pipeline is strengthening; and young girls are dreaming bigger, seeing that those dreams now have a pathway. 

With SAFA and Hollywoodbets standing firmly together, the message is clear – the future of South African women’s football is brighter than ever, and its moment is now.