The Big Interview: Romaney Pinnock

After taking on the role with the South African Football Association in the summer, Pinnock discusses their withdrawn World Cup bid and the development of women's football in the country...

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Romaney Pinnock has been SAFA’s Head of Women’s Football since July

Romaney Pinnock’s LinkedIn describes her as an “assertive problem solver”, which makes her perfect for a high-level role, which she’s just taken on earlier this year as new Head of Women’s Football at the South African Football Association [SAFA].

While Banyana Banyana were shining their way through the group stage on just their second World Cup appearance down under in the summer, Pinnock was getting her feet under the desk back home, having taken the job on in July.

It’s a big job, but it’s also a crucial point in South Africa for women’s football. The domestic game is growing, steadily, but there’s plenty to do, while the national team showed the level of talent on show finishing second in the group and progressing into the knockout stages.

There’s also the fact the nation did intend to bid to host the next tournament in 2027, but SAFA has since withdrawn its bid to focus on 2031, and Pinnock is well placed to offer context to the decision as they look to become the first African nation to host the women’s edition of the World Cup.

“There’s a bid committee which was formed before I joined,” says Pinnock. “I had input, but the final decision was a collective one.

“The way I see it from my position is it’s a nice opportunity to put in place the structures necessary to show how we deserve the 2031 tournament. It’s one thing to put in a bid, or be granted hosting rights, from an infrastructural point of view, a political point of view or a tourism point of view.

“Obviously, my point of view is about girls and women playing football and having access to football and I think we’ve got quite a bit of work to do on that front. Work within this area will help to ensure a solid bid for the next one.