The South African soccer field has traditionally been a male bastion but moving forward our soccer supporters may be increasingly chanting Bayana Bayana over Bafana Bafana, a new study reveals.

Research conducted by Spur Soccer Masidlale to get a better understanding of how soccer influences South African tweens, shows that contrary to general perception, the majority (88 percent) of respondents believe that soccer is a sport that should be played by girls and boys.

"This is extremely encouraging news," says Portia Watson, a female coach for the Spur Soccer Masidlale programme and former Tshwane University of Technology soccer player.

'The gender gap is narrowing'

"It indicates that the gender gap in soccer is narrowing and that our next generation of players is more accepting of a strong female presence in the game, which is on par with the direction that game is heading in the United States (US) and United Kingdom, which boasts a Women’s National Premier League.

Watson states that in the US soccer is just as popular for girls as for boys.

"Over forty percent of soccer players in the US are women and it is the most popular women's sport in college," says Watson.

Figures on the US embassy's website support this statement. The site states that an estimated 18 188 women played soccer in the three college divisions in 2001, compared with 17 788 in track and field and also states that in some instances; women soccer stars are more well-known than men.

Soccer star Mia Hamm was listed recently as one of the 'Most Fascinating Women in Politics' in a political magazine poll.

"Unfortunately our survey also revealed that less than a third (32 percent) of schools has an official girls' soccer team," continues Watson, "however, I'm confident that this number will increase in the aftermath of 2010".

Building team skills

Now in its fifth year, the Spur Soccer Masidlale programme was launched by Spur Steak Ranches in 2005 in response to what they saw as a need to develop soccer and life skills amongst young South Africans from disadvantaged backgrounds, leading up to 2010 and beyond.

As of the end of June 2009, more than 22 000 learners across South Africa have been put through their paces, during the programme's annual soccer clinics.

According to Oginga Siwundla, Brand Development Manager at Spur Steak Ranches, the programme prides itself on not only teaching soccer skills, but placing strong emphasis on teaching life skills.

"More than eighty percent of the respondents stated that taking part in team sports is more fun than playing on their own. The ability to work in a team is proven to be a basic life skills development building block, which serves individuals well throughout their life. Soccer is pulling our nation together in more ways than one," says Siwundla who also comments that the respondents want it to be a winning nation.

'When I scored my first goal my heart was warm,' says a Limpopo learner.

In addition to the life skills that team work develops, research also reveals that the soccer drills, dribbling and goal attempts also contribute to a smarter nation.

According to Johan van Lill, an expert in Neuroscience in Education, participation in sports like soccer, especially during the tween years, plays a central role in the development of a child's ability to reason, to pay attention and to remember, as well as the abilities to read, write, spell and do mathematics.

Motor development for tweens

"The motor development of tweens, encouraged by physical activity, does not only influence their cognitive, affective, physical and social potential, but also other facets such as personality development, self-image and intellectual progress," says van Lill.

Fortunately, South African tweens are happy to spend their time on the sports field instead of in front of the small screen. Ninety-six percent of the respondents play sport and of that total, more than three quarters (80 percent) play soccer at school or socially with friends and family.

It seems that the state of the nation is not that bad, with only 36 percent saying that they would specifically look for soccer on TV and most preferring to be outside actually playing the game.

The survey also highlighted the most influential soccer stars in respondents' lives. Dad, teachers and coaches with more than a third (39 percent) citing dad as the person who encouraged them to play soccer and instilled their love for the game.

One respondent from KwaZulu-Natal comments, "The first time I didn't know what my dad was doing but now I love playing soccer".

However, when it comes to their idols, it seems South African tweens are a nation divided. Respondents in the Western Cape think 'local is lekker' listing Teko Mosides and Simpiwe Tsabalala as their soccer heroes, compared to Christiano Renaldo, Messi and Wayne Rooni who scored highly amongst the rest of the country's vote.