Former Lesotho FA deputy says new HWBSL format will benefit women’s football

The South African Football Association and Hollywoodbets announced, during the launch of the new season, that the league will now be divided into two streams, namely Super Rise and Super Era.

Speaking to SABC Sport ahead of the first round in Johannesburg from 22-24 May, Bullock says this model pushes more people to attend the games since it’s more of a football festival.

"I think it's an interesting model. I can see the reason why they've gone for it. I think the real positives of it are more exposure. I've been to quite a few women's games in South Africa, and you don't really get people coming to watch apart from those associated ," said Bullock.

READ: Ezemvelo coach skeptical of new Hollywoodbets Super League format

"So, for example, at UWC, I go to a few of their games, and they've got students that attend, and the same at UCT. But you never really get a crowd, and obviously when you're looking for sponsors, when you want to televise the game and really try and give exposure to women's football."

"I think doing it in a festival format will attract a lot of people to come and watch. It's a format we actually used in Lesotho and still use today. It's a format that we used to employ there in the Women's Super League, and you do tend to get people to come and watch because it's at a set location, and there's a bit of excitement about that level of football coming to a specific location and being able to see different teams and maybe well-known teams."

SABCSport.com and SABC 1 will broadcast the clashes between the University of Johannesburg and Ezemvelo as well as Hollywoodbets Super League defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns and newcomers Diepkloof Ladies, respectively.

Bullock believes this ‘football festival’ format assists the public broadcaster to take on more games.

The British-born agent says the only negative aspect of this format is that teams will play fewer games than the previous seasons.

Ezemvelo coach, Nkosingiphile Maphumulo also shared concerns about the amount of games during the launch.

Bullock says he hopes more sponsors will be willing to invest in the growth of women’s football.