Football has, over the years, found a place in the hearts of the opposite gender.

At the tender age of six, growing up in an environment of football lovers and constantly hearing the cheering and sometimes the nagging when a soccer match was on always had me wondering what the fuss was all about. I decided to take the time out on a Saturday afternoon to join my father and brothers and partake in their ritual of attending soccer matches. From there, there was no turning back!

I completely fell in love with the game. As a female, it was never popular to take an interest in soccer, and at the time there were not many women who were in the industry, and that was when I looked up to Carol Tshabalala. The first lady of football, to this day she still stands as my inspiration. Soccer became a part of my daily life; if I was not watching a match on television, I was attending soccer practice.

The main question that my fellow gender would constantly ask was why I had so much passion for the game. From that first moment, when I watched a soccer match, I felt the excitement and anticipation, and I finally found something that I could look forward to. I was never the child who would be found playing in the neighbour's yard or gallivanting on the streets, and soccer was my only friend. I loved the way that a game could bring people together, no matter their differences, and how it would bring smiles and sometimes frowns, but it always had a way of bringing joy.

I grew up supporting the Sea Robbers. My whole family supported Pirates and the rich history that the club possessed drew me to them. I was always fascinated by the playing style the club had and the players who donned the Black and White jersey.

To this day, soccer remains my first love and that is why I am pursuing a career in sports journalism. Being offered an internship opportunity at Soccer Laduma has been a dream come true for an aspiring soccer-loving journalist who seeks to leave a long-lasting mark in the world of soccer.

- Celine