Being A Zambian Female Soccer Referee

Mwati Ngulube, Zambia

Mwati Ngulube is a SKILLZ Coach with Grassroot Soccer in Zambia. Grassroot Soccer (GRS) is an adolescent health organization that uses the power of soccer to teach young people critical health information while making learning fun and engaging so that the lessons stick. At the heart of GRS programs are young, local leaders whom GRS recruits and trains as mentor Coaches to facilitate sessions, connect with young people, and create safe spaces for learning.

My name is Mwati Ngulube. I am a SKILLZ Coach with Grassroot Soccer Zambia, a soccer player, and a national referee. At the age of 10, I was already interested in being a soccer player and was practising at the Bauleni Sports Academy. In a sudden twist of events my parents opted to send me to boarding school at Muka Mambo Secondary School, where I was educated until I completed my secondary education. 

During my time in secondary school, I lost the zeal to continue playing soccer, because I had been taken away from the sport I used to play at the Academy. I did not participate in any soccer activities until I completed 12th grade. My love for the sport never withered despite the boarding school limitations and believed I had to get back involved in the sport, so I returned to the sport at the same club I started out as a junior. 

Because of being away from the sport for such a long time, the team proposed that I should try being a referee and pushed me to officiate for matches. I agreed and started training as a referee. 

With lots of training and practice I was then introduced to the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ). I went through refereeing training and as of 2021, I was officially appointed as a registered referee. 

I started with the smaller developmental leagues and after some time was accorded the opportunity to officiate bigger leagues such as the Women’s Division 1. One of my big matches was between Green Buffaloes FC and Red Arrows in the women’s division and refereeing it was one of my biggest achievements. 

I was also given a chance to officiate Men’s football in the Men’s leagues, including Shamuel vs Police College, LCC vs Young NAPSA, and Lusaka Dynamos vs Chawama United.

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

I captured the skills exhibited by the players who took part in the juniors’ tournament at the Bauleni Sports Academy. It reminded me of where I started from.

I also showed a session for young adolescents in my community on issues of hygiene and how best they can take care of their bodies. We demonstrate some of the ways the young people can practise good hygiene and show what it means to be a SKILLZ Coach. 

My favourite photo is of my mother. She is my number one supporter and always encourages me to be the best that I am meant to be. 

What impact has coaching football with Grassroot Soccer Zambia had on you?

My confidence and expressive abilities emerged from being a SKILLZ Coach under the Grassroot Soccer Interventions program - these are soccer-themed fun activities delivered to adolescents and young people. 

I have been with Grassroot Soccer (GRS) for over four years now. I was originally just a participant when they had sessions at Bauleni Grounds, where I would go to train. I remember gaining interest in the sessions and was hoping to also one day be a coach. The time came when they were recruiting and I did not hesitate to apply and became a coach at Grassroot Soccer.

Through GRS, I have been able to gain new ideas about life generally, learning to be more open about life issues and self efficacy. GRS offered me so much moral support at every step of my footballing journey and when I became a referee.

Since I joined GRS, I have met different people of different backgrounds with different stories. I have gained a lot of experience to respect and appreciate the different stories that people share about their lives. At any time I am ready to offer support and advice to anyone going through life issues, because I have gained so much knowledge, the ability to share factual information, and confidence to speak. 

In my career as a referee I now have the confidence to officiate any type of match and talk to individuals in any capacity, because I have been trained to have confidence in myself and stand my ground in a lot of situations. 

What role does GRS and football play in your community and in Zambia?

In my community, we as SKILLZ Coaches have shared so much information pertaining to HIV. I believe that so many parents, children and community members have come to accept that they are living with HIV. The community has learnt to not discriminate and avoid stigma. We are changing the lives of so many young people through supporting them with self care, motivation and inspiration.

Being a coach has helped me support so many young people to make informed decisions about their health and improve their mental wellbeing as well. 

What are the opportunities for women and girls to play in your community?

Football has provided so many opportunities for the girls and women in my community and has kept so many girls away from illicit activities, unplanned pregnancies and other harmful practices. 

Football was my saving grace. I would have probably fallen pregnant at a young age and been a mother, or I would have been abusing different substances in my community. But I think the love for football saved me and I am always preoccupied and keeping myself busy with it.

My community now has three teams for women. This promoted gender equality as the sport is not just synonymous with men now, but women are also playing their part in the game. It is important to note that my community also has two female referees who are officiating on a national level. One of them is me and I believe this is inspirational to others.

What ambitions do you have for the future? What is the future for football in Zambia? 

I feel confident and motivated to excel in my career as a referee. I will continue to work hard and persevere to reach my desired level. Senior national referee Diana Chikotesha is my inspiration and one day I want to reach ‘white badge’ status. This is a FIFA status where you travel to different countries to officiate matches.

The future of football in Zambia is huge. Many females will get involved as the Women’s National Team has led by example and given inspiration for many girls. 

I would love to change the face of football in future by integrating more younger players from rural areas, as they do not have support and exposure. The potential talent continues to waste away and I would love to identify more players from the grassroots.