<div dir="ltr"><div>All,</div><div>Please find attached and below Jean Duffy, <i>Soccer Grannies</i>, reviewed by Lisa Timpf.</div><div><br></div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Thanks,</div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Duncan</div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><br></span></b></div><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Soccer Grannies: The South African Women
Who Inspire the World</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span></span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Duffy,
Jean. <span>Soccer Grannies: The South
African Women Who Inspire the World. New York: Rowman & Littlefield, 2023.
xix + 264pp. Photos, Chapter Notes, Bibliography, Index, $34.00.<span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Reviewed
by Lisa Timpf<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Soccer
Grannies: The South African Women Who Inspire the World </span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">is a
non-fiction book that could just as well read as the script of a triumph-against-the-odds
movie. <i>Soccer Grannies</i> quietly reminds us about what, at the root of it,
is important and valuable about sport. The camaraderie. The invitation to
enhanced fitness. Sport’s ability to connect people across ethnic divides,
across socio-economic classes, across cultural differences, and across
continents.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">The
Soccer Grannies, as Jean Duffy first came to know them, were a team composed,
quite literally, of South African grandmothers—women in their 40’s to their
80’s. But as is true of many of the best things in life, these soccer-loving
grandmothers came by their love of the sport in a roundabout fashion.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">The
Soccer Grannies started off as a group of women trying to improve their
fitness. After undergoing chemotherapy for colon cancer in 2003, the club’s
founder, Rebecca (better known as ‘Beka’) Ntsanwisi, was advised by the doctor
to exercise in order to regain her strength. While at the clinic for her
appointments, Beka had noticed many older women struggling with medical issues.
She rightly assumed that others, too, could use some intervention to help them
overcome illnesses that were “robbing South Africa’s women of their twilight
years.”<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Beka
started “an exercise program for ladies who were out of shape and wanted to do
something about it.” One day, when the group was exercising in a field, a group
of boys accidentally kicked a soccer ball in their direction. When a member of
the exercise group booted it back, Beka suggested, half-jokingly, that they try
soccer. The idea was greeted with enthusiasm by her companions. Beka hired a
coach to instruct them in the basics, and the women found that playing soccer
improved their mobility and strength. More than that, “they were also enjoying
laughter and friendship—which in turn improved their mental health.”<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">The Soccer
Grannies looked forward to the time spent on the soccer field. That didn’t mean
it was easy. They had to overcome cultural obstacles. Some community members
argued they should be at home looking after their grandchildren. Others criticized
their choice of attire. But the Grannies were steadfast in their determination.
The health and social benefits of their time spent on the soccer pitch
outweighed social pressure.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Soccer
Grannies</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">
author Jean Duffy was first exposed to the Grannies through a video forwarded
to her by a soccer teammate. Jean herself was 51 years old at the time, “only
recently switched from soccer momming on the sidelines to chasing the ball.” Jean
felt an instant connection, despite the 7,875 miles between her home in
Lexington, Massachusetts and the Grannies’ home in Nkowankowa, Limpopo. Jean,
along with key figures from her own team and others in the league, began a fundraising
campaign to bring the Soccer Grannies to play in the annual Veterans Cup, which
in 2010 was scheduled to be held in Massachusetts.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">The
book describes the ups and downs of the campaign to enable the Grannies make
the trip, the experience of hosting the South African team in the United
States, and a subsequent visit to South Africa by Duffy and others.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">In
addition to the description of events, Duffy provides historical context for
the Grannies’ endeavours, outlining some of the social and political challenges
confronting South Africa women. Brief biographies of several of the Grannies
are also included. These profiles provide depth to the book, illustrating the difficulties—poverty,
abuse, discrimination, and the like—that the soccer-playing South African women
have endured, and triumphed over, in the course of their lives. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">The
events are recounted in roughly chronological fashion, though in the Author’s
Note, Duffy states that some time lines were slightly adjusted to support a
logical flow. Duffy took her time writing the book, spending seven years
sifting through email correspondence, photographs, formal interviews, newspaper
articles, and other sources. She also consulted various sources to get a sense
of South African history and culture. An extensive bibliography is provided at
the back of the book. Several photos are also included, capturing the Grannies’
visit to the United States as well as a reciprocal visit by Duffy and others to
South Africa.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Though at
the outset I mentioned a triumph-against-the-odds story, the Grannies did not
sweep into town and win every game. But it was never about that. It was about
having the opportunity to make the journey, despite the seemingly-staggering
logistical difficulties. Reading <i>Soccer Grannies</i> reminded me of an
article I read in a Philosophy of Sport textbook back in the early 80s. The
article revolved around the application of Martin Buber’s I-Thou to sport. An
encounter with the Soccer Grannies encourages one to think of playing <i>with, </i>rather
than <i>against, </i>another team.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">One
doesn’t have to be a soccer fan or soccer player to enjoy <i>Soccer Grannies</i>.
In my playing days, I gravitated toward softball, and field, ice, and ball
hockey, but that didn’t stop me from connecting with the book’s messages. The
underlying themes about the power of sport to motivate movement and to engender
laughter and camaraderie still apply, regardless of one’s choice of sport. As an
older woman, it was also easy for me to appreciate the additional barriers
gender and age can place on one’s ability and comfort level in carving out time
and space for play.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">The
story of the Soccer Grannies doesn’t end with Duffy’s book. New chapters in the
Grannies’ saga are still being written. As I was preparing this review for SLA,
the first-ever Grannies International Football Tournament was underway, with
teams from the United States, France, and various countries across Africa
participating. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Duffy’s
book tells the story of the original Soccer Grannies team, weaving together a
compelling tale that tells us something about the power of sport to engender
well-being and forge connections. As the cutline from one of the photos notes,
“These athletes remind us that sport does not belong to the young alone; bodies
of all ages, sizes, and abilities benefit from playing the beautiful game.” <span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Soccer
Grannies</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">
might appeal to a number of audiences, including, but not limited to, students
of comparative sport, individuals interested in women’s sport, and those with
an interest in how sport can engender physical and mental health in aging
populations.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA">Though <i>Soccer
Grannies</i> is Duffy’s first book, she has previously been published in venues
like the <i>Boston Globe</i>, the <i>Stamford Advocate</i>, and the <i>Concord
Monitor</i>.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif" lang="EN-CA"><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Remember to smell the roses as you recumber past</p></div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><br>Duncan R. Jamieson, Ph. D.<br>Professor of History<br>Book Review Editor<br><i>AETHLON: The Journal of Sport Literature</i><br>Ashland University<br>Ashland, OH 44805<br>USA<br></div></div>