Jean Duffy
@soccergranniesbook.bsky.social
We all need a little inspiration . . . Look no further than the South African Soccer Grannies! Proud to share their story.
Pinned
"Soccer Grannies" is the story of a team of 40 to 80-year-old women in rural South Africa who defy social convention to play soccer for the companionship and the health benefits. Their strength and resiliency help them face life’s challenges with dignity, humor, and hope.
The Dock Bookshop in Fort Worth TX is hosting a series of called the "Road to the Cup - Futbol 2026" on how the game ignites human spirit across nations. Soccer Grannies will be featured on Wed 12/10 at 12pm in TX, 1pm in MA and 7pm in South Africa ⚽❤️🇿🇦
Details at thedockbookshop.com/event/2025-1...
Details at thedockbookshop.com/event/2025-1...
December 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
The Dock Bookshop in Fort Worth TX is hosting a series of called the "Road to the Cup - Futbol 2026" on how the game ignites human spirit across nations. Soccer Grannies will be featured on Wed 12/10 at 12pm in TX, 1pm in MA and 7pm in South Africa ⚽❤️🇿🇦
Details at thedockbookshop.com/event/2025-1...
Details at thedockbookshop.com/event/2025-1...
Our friends from South Africa, the Pietermaritzburg Soccer Grannies, talk about their first year of soccer! The game has taken them to Mauritius and Limpopo and their sights are set on Bali. Beyond travel, they embrace life with new "pride, purpose, and laughter." ❤️⚽🇿🇦
witness.co.za/news/2025/11...
witness.co.za/news/2025/11...
PODCAST | Still got game: PMB's soccer grannies kicking back against ageing | The Witness
What began as a small fitness initiative has grown into a movement of women who refuse to be defined by age, circumstance, or diagnosis.
witness.co.za
November 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Our friends from South Africa, the Pietermaritzburg Soccer Grannies, talk about their first year of soccer! The game has taken them to Mauritius and Limpopo and their sights are set on Bali. Beyond travel, they embrace life with new "pride, purpose, and laughter." ❤️⚽🇿🇦
witness.co.za/news/2025/11...
witness.co.za/news/2025/11...
Meet Granny Rossina! Although Rossina was born in 1941, she looks younger than you might expect for someone in her venerable eighties. Maybe it’s her sporting lifestyle?⚽🇿🇦❤️
Soccer Grannies is now available as an audiobook! More at JeanDuffy.com/audiobook
#SoccerGrannies #AudioBook
Soccer Grannies is now available as an audiobook! More at JeanDuffy.com/audiobook
#SoccerGrannies #AudioBook
November 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Meet Granny Rossina! Although Rossina was born in 1941, she looks younger than you might expect for someone in her venerable eighties. Maybe it’s her sporting lifestyle?⚽🇿🇦❤️
Soccer Grannies is now available as an audiobook! More at JeanDuffy.com/audiobook
#SoccerGrannies #AudioBook
Soccer Grannies is now available as an audiobook! More at JeanDuffy.com/audiobook
#SoccerGrannies #AudioBook
Get a head start on your holiday shopping! Check out the Arlington Book Fair, Saturday, November 8th 2:00-5:00, at the Roasted Granola Cafe, 1346 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA.
Twenty local authors will be available to sign books including Bev Stohl, Laura Beretsky, and yours truly!
📚📚📚
Twenty local authors will be available to sign books including Bev Stohl, Laura Beretsky, and yours truly!
📚📚📚
November 1, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Get a head start on your holiday shopping! Check out the Arlington Book Fair, Saturday, November 8th 2:00-5:00, at the Roasted Granola Cafe, 1346 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA.
Twenty local authors will be available to sign books including Bev Stohl, Laura Beretsky, and yours truly!
📚📚📚
Twenty local authors will be available to sign books including Bev Stohl, Laura Beretsky, and yours truly!
📚📚📚
Meet Mama Beka! She is a highly praised community activist and the founder of the Vakhegula-Vakhegula football team . . . affectionately known as the Soccer Grannies. ⚽🇿🇦❤️
Soccer Grannies is now available as an audiobook! More at JeanDuffy.com/audiobook
#SoccerGrannies #AudioBook
Soccer Grannies is now available as an audiobook! More at JeanDuffy.com/audiobook
#SoccerGrannies #AudioBook
October 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Meet Mama Beka! She is a highly praised community activist and the founder of the Vakhegula-Vakhegula football team . . . affectionately known as the Soccer Grannies. ⚽🇿🇦❤️
Soccer Grannies is now available as an audiobook! More at JeanDuffy.com/audiobook
#SoccerGrannies #AudioBook
Soccer Grannies is now available as an audiobook! More at JeanDuffy.com/audiobook
#SoccerGrannies #AudioBook
In 2007 Beka Ntsanwisi formed a soccer team of older women. They improved their health and formed a vibrant new community of support.
Now almost 20 years later, hundreds of teams of grandmothers play soccer across Africa.
One woman can change the world! ⚽❤️
Now almost 20 years later, hundreds of teams of grandmothers play soccer across Africa.
One woman can change the world! ⚽❤️
October 20, 2025 at 9:14 PM
In 2007 Beka Ntsanwisi formed a soccer team of older women. They improved their health and formed a vibrant new community of support.
Now almost 20 years later, hundreds of teams of grandmothers play soccer across Africa.
One woman can change the world! ⚽❤️
Now almost 20 years later, hundreds of teams of grandmothers play soccer across Africa.
One woman can change the world! ⚽❤️
Melissa-Asli Petit reflected on the Grannies World Cup in “Soccer Brings Joy!” ⚽🥰
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com/p/soccer-bri...
“With age, many challenges arise. Playing soccer means you no longer feel alone, you can forget your problems on the field, and encourage each other.”
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com/p/soccer-bri...
“With age, many challenges arise. Playing soccer means you no longer feel alone, you can forget your problems on the field, and encourage each other.”
October 16, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Melissa-Asli Petit reflected on the Grannies World Cup in “Soccer Brings Joy!” ⚽🥰
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com/p/soccer-bri...
“With age, many challenges arise. Playing soccer means you no longer feel alone, you can forget your problems on the field, and encourage each other.”
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com/p/soccer-bri...
“With age, many challenges arise. Playing soccer means you no longer feel alone, you can forget your problems on the field, and encourage each other.”
"Soccer Grannies" book is now available to listen to on Audible, Spotify, and more!
I hope I’ve done justice to the voices and spirit of these extraordinary women.
All proceeds will be donated to the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation. ⚽🇿🇦
More details are on my website, jeanduffy.com/audiobook/
#audiobook
I hope I’ve done justice to the voices and spirit of these extraordinary women.
All proceeds will be donated to the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation. ⚽🇿🇦
More details are on my website, jeanduffy.com/audiobook/
#audiobook
October 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
"Soccer Grannies" book is now available to listen to on Audible, Spotify, and more!
I hope I’ve done justice to the voices and spirit of these extraordinary women.
All proceeds will be donated to the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation. ⚽🇿🇦
More details are on my website, jeanduffy.com/audiobook/
#audiobook
I hope I’ve done justice to the voices and spirit of these extraordinary women.
All proceeds will be donated to the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation. ⚽🇿🇦
More details are on my website, jeanduffy.com/audiobook/
#audiobook
The lauded humanitarian Beka Ntsan'wisi has been busy, busy. She held an event for the elderly providing food donations and eye checks, celebrated a milestone birthday for one of the Nkowankowa players, and is promoting cancer awareness. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️
October 10, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The lauded humanitarian Beka Ntsan'wisi has been busy, busy. She held an event for the elderly providing food donations and eye checks, celebrated a milestone birthday for one of the Nkowankowa players, and is promoting cancer awareness. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️
One week from today! On Friday 9/26 at noon the Ingalls Memorial Library has arrangerd a Soccer Grannies "Lunch & Learn" event at the Meeting House, 6 Payson Hill Road in Rindge NH. Would love to see you there! ⚽🇿🇦❤️⚽🇿🇦❤️⚽🇿🇦❤️
September 19, 2025 at 11:19 AM
One week from today! On Friday 9/26 at noon the Ingalls Memorial Library has arrangerd a Soccer Grannies "Lunch & Learn" event at the Meeting House, 6 Payson Hill Road in Rindge NH. Would love to see you there! ⚽🇿🇦❤️⚽🇿🇦❤️⚽🇿🇦❤️
On Tuesday 7/22/25 at 1pm, I return to the town where I kicked my first soccer ball! I'll talk about my favorite soccer-playing grandmothers at the Community Center at 39 Marrett Road in Lexington, MA.
❤️⚽🇿🇦
Please register at:
lexrecma.myrec.com/info/activit...
LexingtonHumanServices #BookEvent
❤️⚽🇿🇦
Please register at:
lexrecma.myrec.com/info/activit...
LexingtonHumanServices #BookEvent
July 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
On Tuesday 7/22/25 at 1pm, I return to the town where I kicked my first soccer ball! I'll talk about my favorite soccer-playing grandmothers at the Community Center at 39 Marrett Road in Lexington, MA.
❤️⚽🇿🇦
Please register at:
lexrecma.myrec.com/info/activit...
LexingtonHumanServices #BookEvent
❤️⚽🇿🇦
Please register at:
lexrecma.myrec.com/info/activit...
LexingtonHumanServices #BookEvent
Come out to the Arlington Author Salon on Thursday 7/10/25 at 7:30pm at the Kickstand Cafe in Arlington, MA. I will be joined by fellow authors, Milo Todd and Rebecca Root, for a special event with the theme of "Finding your Strength."
#BookEvent #StrongerTogether
#BookEvent #StrongerTogether
July 3, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Come out to the Arlington Author Salon on Thursday 7/10/25 at 7:30pm at the Kickstand Cafe in Arlington, MA. I will be joined by fellow authors, Milo Todd and Rebecca Root, for a special event with the theme of "Finding your Strength."
#BookEvent #StrongerTogether
#BookEvent #StrongerTogether
Just finished "My Beautiful Sisters." Khalida Popal bravely shares the life threatening struggles that women face playing soccer in Afghanistan. I can tell you it was hard to read, but eye opening and inspiring as well. Thank you, Khalida, for sharing your story.
bookstagram #bookreview
bookstagram #bookreview
June 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Just finished "My Beautiful Sisters." Khalida Popal bravely shares the life threatening struggles that women face playing soccer in Afghanistan. I can tell you it was hard to read, but eye opening and inspiring as well. Thank you, Khalida, for sharing your story.
bookstagram #bookreview
bookstagram #bookreview
Looks like SO much fun. Grannies in Singapore are playing water polo!
www.nytimes.com/.../singapor...
www.nytimes.com/.../singapor...
June 16, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Looks like SO much fun. Grannies in Singapore are playing water polo!
www.nytimes.com/.../singapor...
www.nytimes.com/.../singapor...
Yesterday was World Football Day! "Football's broad appeal and accessibility make it a potent tool for promoting health and well-being. It has also served as a vital platform for advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls, both on and off the field." ⚽✌️❤️
www.un.org/en/observanc...
www.un.org/en/observanc...
World Football Day | United Nations
World Football Day strives to foster global support for sports, particularly football, as a means to advance peace, development, the empowerment of women and girls, and the attainment of Sustainable D...
www.un.org
May 26, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Yesterday was World Football Day! "Football's broad appeal and accessibility make it a potent tool for promoting health and well-being. It has also served as a vital platform for advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls, both on and off the field." ⚽✌️❤️
www.un.org/en/observanc...
www.un.org/en/observanc...
Love the final lines of this @shethepeople.bsky.social piece . . . "Passion, curiosity, and play don’t expire with age. If anything, these grannies show us that the second half of life might just be the most exciting chapter of all." ❤️⚽🇿🇦
#soccergrannies
www.shethepeople.tv/lifestyle/gr...
#soccergrannies
www.shethepeople.tv/lifestyle/gr...
Soccer Grannies: Redefining Old Age, One Kick At A Time
The Grannies International Football Tournament challenges age stereotypes, showing that older women can stay active, break barriers, and find joy in sports.
www.shethepeople.tv
May 20, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Love the final lines of this @shethepeople.bsky.social piece . . . "Passion, curiosity, and play don’t expire with age. If anything, these grannies show us that the second half of life might just be the most exciting chapter of all." ❤️⚽🇿🇦
#soccergrannies
www.shethepeople.tv/lifestyle/gr...
#soccergrannies
www.shethepeople.tv/lifestyle/gr...
Great article by Ryan Lenora Brown: South Africa’s ‘soccer grannies’ take the field for kicks and camaraderie
⚽🇿🇦❤️
www.csmonitor.com/World/Making...
⚽🇿🇦❤️
www.csmonitor.com/World/Making...
South Africa’s ‘soccer grannies’ take the field for kicks and camaraderie
South Africa’s ‘soccer grannies’ take the field for kicks and camaraderie
www.csmonitor.com
May 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Great article by Ryan Lenora Brown: South Africa’s ‘soccer grannies’ take the field for kicks and camaraderie
⚽🇿🇦❤️
www.csmonitor.com/World/Making...
⚽🇿🇦❤️
www.csmonitor.com/World/Making...
One week from today . . .
Saturday May 10 at 11am, I will be at the East Somerville Library 📚(Somerville Public Library (MA)) at 115 Broadway.
A fun mother's day outing? Bring your mother! Bring your daugther!
❤️⚽🇿🇦❤️
Please register:
somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/soc...
Saturday May 10 at 11am, I will be at the East Somerville Library 📚(Somerville Public Library (MA)) at 115 Broadway.
A fun mother's day outing? Bring your mother! Bring your daugther!
❤️⚽🇿🇦❤️
Please register:
somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/soc...
May 3, 2025 at 7:46 PM
One week from today . . .
Saturday May 10 at 11am, I will be at the East Somerville Library 📚(Somerville Public Library (MA)) at 115 Broadway.
A fun mother's day outing? Bring your mother! Bring your daugther!
❤️⚽🇿🇦❤️
Please register:
somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/soc...
Saturday May 10 at 11am, I will be at the East Somerville Library 📚(Somerville Public Library (MA)) at 115 Broadway.
A fun mother's day outing? Bring your mother! Bring your daugther!
❤️⚽🇿🇦❤️
Please register:
somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/soc...
Check out the China Daily coverage:
"Goal-den oldies are on top of the world
Sore knees, selfies and a sexagenarian goal machine: The recent Grannies International Football Tournament had it all"
www.chinadaily.com.cn/.../WS68140d....
#SoccerGrannies
"Goal-den oldies are on top of the world
Sore knees, selfies and a sexagenarian goal machine: The recent Grannies International Football Tournament had it all"
www.chinadaily.com.cn/.../WS68140d....
#SoccerGrannies
Goal-den oldies are on top of the world
Mbele Nonhlanhla laced up her silver soccer boots as her coach shouted encouragement to players with creaky knees, stiff backs and labored breathing in a dressing room in South Africa's far north.
www.chinadaily.com.cn
May 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Check out the China Daily coverage:
"Goal-den oldies are on top of the world
Sore knees, selfies and a sexagenarian goal machine: The recent Grannies International Football Tournament had it all"
www.chinadaily.com.cn/.../WS68140d....
#SoccerGrannies
"Goal-den oldies are on top of the world
Sore knees, selfies and a sexagenarian goal machine: The recent Grannies International Football Tournament had it all"
www.chinadaily.com.cn/.../WS68140d....
#SoccerGrannies
Johannesburg journalist Ryan Brown landed this piece in our own @bostonglobe.com. Great photos by @ilangodfrey.bsky.social. ❤️⚽🇿🇦🇺🇸⚽❤️
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/m...
Meet the team of soccer ‘grannies’ from Mass. who took a world tournament by storm - The Boston Globe
At the Grannies International Football Tournament in South Africa, a chance to prove any doubters wrong.
www.bostonglobe.com
May 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Johannesburg journalist Ryan Brown landed this piece in our own @bostonglobe.com. Great photos by @ilangodfrey.bsky.social. ❤️⚽🇿🇦🇺🇸⚽❤️
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/05/01/m...
Congratulations to journalist Ryan Brown for bringing her piece, "A world soccer tournament made for grandmothers," to the airwaves of @NPR All Things Considered!! ❤️⚽🇿🇦
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...
#soccergrannies #womenssoccer
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...
#soccergrannies #womenssoccer
A world soccer tournament made for grandmothers
A world soccer tournament for 'grannies' has wrapped up. The annual event allows women from all over the world to show off and be appreciated for their athleticism. Some participants are well into the...
www.npr.org
April 28, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Congratulations to journalist Ryan Brown for bringing her piece, "A world soccer tournament made for grandmothers," to the airwaves of @NPR All Things Considered!! ❤️⚽🇿🇦
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...
#soccergrannies #womenssoccer
www.npr.org/2025/04/25/n...
#soccergrannies #womenssoccer
"No matter their status or identity, they are football player, equal on the field.
They find joy, happiness and friendship... So let’s celebrate this game, because we all need to see more women over fifty taking part in sport." ❤️⚽
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com/p/unity-in-d...
They find joy, happiness and friendship... So let’s celebrate this game, because we all need to see more women over fifty taking part in sport." ❤️⚽
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com/p/unity-in-d...
Unity in Diversity: the Grannies International Football Tournament
When it is game day in Tzaneen, South Africa, during the Grannies International Football Tournament - dedicated for women over fifty - everybody dances, everybody sings, everybody comes as they are.
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com
April 27, 2025 at 7:19 PM
"No matter their status or identity, they are football player, equal on the field.
They find joy, happiness and friendship... So let’s celebrate this game, because we all need to see more women over fifty taking part in sport." ❤️⚽
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com/p/unity-in-d...
They find joy, happiness and friendship... So let’s celebrate this game, because we all need to see more women over fifty taking part in sport." ❤️⚽
oldwomenaroundtheworldenglish.substack.com/p/unity-in-d...
Jonathan Ball Publishers and @exclusivebooks.bsky.social hosted a Soccer Grannies book event! The Cape Town Grannies team, photographer Tessa Gordon, and US teammates shared soccer stories. Get a copy at
exclusivebooks.co.za/products/979...
📚⚽🇿🇦❤️
Photos: ML Dymski, L Peverada, Jonathan Ball
exclusivebooks.co.za/products/979...
📚⚽🇿🇦❤️
Photos: ML Dymski, L Peverada, Jonathan Ball
April 24, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Jonathan Ball Publishers and @exclusivebooks.bsky.social hosted a Soccer Grannies book event! The Cape Town Grannies team, photographer Tessa Gordon, and US teammates shared soccer stories. Get a copy at
exclusivebooks.co.za/products/979...
📚⚽🇿🇦❤️
Photos: ML Dymski, L Peverada, Jonathan Ball
exclusivebooks.co.za/products/979...
📚⚽🇿🇦❤️
Photos: ML Dymski, L Peverada, Jonathan Ball
I can’t resist the adorable faces of children. 38% of all children in South Africa live with their grandparents, and 64% of those have a grandmother as head of household. Some are energetic soccer playing grandmothers! ❤️
Photo thanks to Ching Lai, Elizabeth Meyer, and yours truly
Photo thanks to Ching Lai, Elizabeth Meyer, and yours truly
April 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I can’t resist the adorable faces of children. 38% of all children in South Africa live with their grandparents, and 64% of those have a grandmother as head of household. Some are energetic soccer playing grandmothers! ❤️
Photo thanks to Ching Lai, Elizabeth Meyer, and yours truly
Photo thanks to Ching Lai, Elizabeth Meyer, and yours truly
I am grateful for WhatsApp messages and calls to stay connected, but a hug is WAY better! Was a thrill to be reunited with my friends that I have known for 15 years - back to when the Grannies visited America! ❤️⚽🇿🇦🇺🇸⚽❤️
Photo credits: Richard of Ilios Travel, Heather Broglio, and me!
#soccergrannies
Photo credits: Richard of Ilios Travel, Heather Broglio, and me!
#soccergrannies
April 22, 2025 at 4:36 PM
I am grateful for WhatsApp messages and calls to stay connected, but a hug is WAY better! Was a thrill to be reunited with my friends that I have known for 15 years - back to when the Grannies visited America! ❤️⚽🇿🇦🇺🇸⚽❤️
Photo credits: Richard of Ilios Travel, Heather Broglio, and me!
#soccergrannies
Photo credits: Richard of Ilios Travel, Heather Broglio, and me!
#soccergrannies