Wits University F.C.

This article is about Wits University's amateur student football club. For the professional club associated with the university, and known for most of its history as Wits University, see Bidvest Wits F.C.
Wits University FC
Full nameWits University Football Club
GroundBidvest Stadium, Johannesburg
Capacity5,000
CoachMark Haskins
LeagueUSSA Gauteng
2017Varsity Football, 7th
Websitewits.ac.za/soccer

Wits University Football Club, also known as Wits FC, is the football club representing the University of the Witwatersrand based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Wits University Football Club has the largest number of members for any single sporting code in the university, with two men's teams, a ladies' teams, and a junior program for prospective students.

The Men's & Ladies' First Teams represent the university in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) Football Gauteng league, and are regular participants in the USSA Football National Club Championships competing with the top 16 university teams in the country, held in December of each year. The men's senior team, coached by Mark Haskins, is ranked 8th in the country following participation in the National Championships. The women's team, coached by Jabulile Baloyi, narrowly missed out on qualification.[1] The women's team also occasionally participates in external tournaments, such as the annual Zodwa Khoza Cup.[2]

The USSA Football National Club Championships act as the qualifiers to the prestigious Varsity Sports Football tournament of the following year; with the top eight men's teams and top four ladies' teams affiliated with Varsity Sports booking their place in the tournament.

The Men's First & Reserve Teams are members of SAFA Soweto, with the First Team playing in the Promotional League, playing towards promotion to the SAB Regional League.

Stadium

Wits FC's home ground is the Milpark Stadium, located on the university's East Campus in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The stadium can hold up to 5000 spectators at capacity. The stadium was primarily used by Premier Soccer League outfit, Bidvest Wits F.C., when it was 50% owned by Bidvest. Now the stadium is 100% owned by the university, since Bidvest sold the other 50% when it sold their shares.

Honours and tournament history

Varsity Football record

  • 2017 Varsity Football - 7th[3]
  • 2016 Varsity Football – 7th
  • 2015 Varsity Football - Semi-final
  • 2014 Varsity Football – did not qualify
  • 2013 Varsity Football – 7th

USSA Football National Club Championships record

Men
  • 2017 – 8th
  • 2016 – 6th
  • 2015 – 7th[4]
  • 2014 – 5th[5]
  • 2013 – Did not qualify[6]
  • 2012 – 5th[7]
  • 2011 – Did not qualify[8]
  • 2010 – Did not qualify[9]
  • 2009 – Did not qualify[10]

Sponsors

  • Main sponsor: Futurelife
  • Kit manufacturer: Kappa

Club officials

Coaching Staff & Technical Team

Men's First Team
  • Head coach: South Africa Mark Haskins
  • Assistant coach: South Africa Alzavian van Rheede
  • Fitness coach: South Africa Restoration Sikhwari
  • Sports officer: South Africa Monthso Matlala
  • Team manager: South Africa Sanele Nene

References

  1. ^ "University Sports South Africa". ussa.org.za. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  2. ^ Johannesburg, The University of the Witwatersrand. "Football (Soccer) - Wits University". www.wits.ac.za. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  3. ^ VarsitySportsSA. "Football Fixtures and Results 2017". Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  4. ^ USSA FOTBALL [sic] CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015 TOURNAMENT STANDINGS (29 March 2016), University Sport South Africa
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 4 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 May 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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