Soccer Grannies is available to listen to — on Audible, Spotify, and more! Whether you’re commuting, cooking, walking the dog, or folding laundry, you can enjoy the story wherever life takes you. Audio books also offer accessibility for readers with visual impairments or reading challenges.
Because Soccer Grannies is a personal story with a lot of heart, it felt only right to narrate it myself. I hope I’ve done justice to the voices and spirit of these extraordinary women. All book revenues will be donated to the Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation to further Beka’s work in South Africa.
Apple – Audible – Audiobooks.com
Google Play – Hoopla – Libro.fm – Spotify
AudiobooksNow – Chirp Books – Everand – Kobo – Storytel
If you give it a listen, I’d be so grateful if you left a quick review on the platform where you listened. Your words help others discover the story — and keep the spirit of the Soccer Grannies spreading far and wide.
Here are the photos that accompany the audio book. Enjoy!
Upon arrival to the United States, members of Vakhegula Vakhegula kneel, prostrate themselves, clap, and ululate—a traditional greeting of the Venda ethnic group and ceremonial expression of respect and gratitude. Boston Logan International Airport, Massachusetts, July 14, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Granny Florah Maceve arrived prepared to share with her American hosts everything worth knowing about her country. Boston Logan International Airport, Massachusetts, July 14, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
L–R) Grannies Josephine Nkuna, Ennie Moyo, and Annah “Bull” Masesa Vuma flabbergast the Americans with their talent for carrying bulky items, hands-free. Veterans Cup, Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 15, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Anne Strong defends the Massachusetts Bay State Breakers against Norah Mtileni’s attack on behalf of Vakhegula Vakhegula at the twelfth annual Veterans Cup. Recently rechristened “Soccer Fest,” the annual tournament, run by the US Adult Soccer Association, features women’s and men’s divisions for players ranging from forty-plus to over seventy-five years of age. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 15, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Josephina Baloyi and Josephine Nkuna (brandishing vuvuzela) rally their fellow Grannies. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 15, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
(L–R) Pat O’Conor, Kate Benson, Heather Broglio, Joy McCallum, Stacey Hamilton, Saie Sabet (partially obscured), and Catherine Steiner of the Lexpressas cheer on their favorite South African team. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 15, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Lizzy Mongwe, veteran marathoner, is one of fourteen footballers who traveled from Limpopo to compete in the Veterans Cup. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 15, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
An impromptu dance party breaks out following tournament play, attracting media attention. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 15, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
(L–R) Power brokers Catherine Steiner, Heather Broglio, and Beka Ntsanwisi plot greatness from the sidelines. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 15, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Hands on hearts, the Grannies sing the South African national anthem: (L–R) Beauty Kgatle, Rossina Mathe, Josephine Nkuna, Josephina Baloyi, Gayisa Modjadji (Vakhegula Vakhegula), Lois Kessin (Bay State Breakers), and Catherine Steiner (Lexpressas). Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 15, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Accompanied by a delighted Jean Duffy (upper left, chin on hand, Kleenex in pocket), Vakhegula Vakhegula gather in traditional Tsonga dress to watch their gameplay featured on the ABC evening news. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 16, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Heather Broglio and Lois Kessin (foreground) enjoy Jean Duffy’s (flustered) reaction to being adorned in traditional Tsonga attire by Josephine Nkuna (L) and BFF Annah “Bull” Vuma. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 16, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Beatrice “Messi” Tshabalala receives a well-deserved high five for defending goal against Hawaii’s Holomua. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 17, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Between matches, the Grannies consider the competition. 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. Lancaster, Massachusetts, July 17, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
(L–R) Beka Ntsanwisi, Beatrice “Messi” Tshabalala, and Norah Mtileni proudly accept Vakhegula Vakhegula’s Veterans Cup championship trophy for the over-sixty division. Boston, Massachusetts, July 18, 2010. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
(L–R) Chrestina “Maradona” Machebe, Dineo Raolane (referee), Sam Broglio, Allison LaClaire, and Ella LaClaire scrimmage in the Grannies’ hometown of Nkowankowa. Limpopo, August 8, 2011. Photo by Lafe LaClaire
(L–R) Tamerat, Heather, and Sam Broglio evince attitude even after a long, event-filled day in Nkowankowa. Limpopo, August 8, 2011. Photo by Catherine Steiner.
Ennie Moyo begins her twilight walk home. Nkowankowa, Limpopo, August 8, 2011. Photo by Catherine Steiner
The chief arrives to observe National Women’s Day festivities, escorted by a coterie of obeisant village women and his council of elders. Limpopo, August 9, 2011. Photo by Catherine Steiner
A traditional Venda dance is performed in commemoration of National Women’s Day. Limpopo, August 9, 2011. Photo by Catherine Steiner
A parade of local delicacies is laid out for the visiting guests—including this bowl of mopane worms. Limpopo, August 9, 2011. Photo by Lafe LaClaire
Sam Broglio is greeted like a rock star by the village children. Limpopo, August 9, 2011. Photo by Mike Broglio
The venerable baobab, Tree of Life, provides shelter, food, and water to all living things on the South African savanna. Limpopo, August 11, 2011. Photo by Catherine Steiner
Rebecca “Beka” Ntsanwisi. Nkowankowa, Limpopo, October 2020. Photo by Tessa Frootko Gordon
Maka Rossina Mathe. Nkowankowa, Limpopo, September 2021. Photo by Dineo Raolane
Mamaila “Khune” Chauke Novela. Nkowankowa, Limpopo, September 2021. Photo by Dineo Raolane
Annah “Bull” Masesa Vuma. Nkowankowa, Limpopo, September 2021. Photo by Dineo Raolane
Norah Mtileni. Nkowankowa, Limpopo, September 2021. Photo by Dineo Raolane
Uyazi “Omo” Asnath Shiviti. Nkowankowa, Limpopo, September 2021. Photo by Dineo Raolane
Modjadji Mdaka Gayisa. Nkowankowa, Limpopo, September 2021. Photo by Dineo Raolane
A big thanks to Tsholofelo Bulala for narrating Beka’s foreword, to Lara-Ann de Wet for sharing the music of the Grannies singing that you will hear at the start of each chapter, and to all the photographers (Tessa Frootko Gordon, Dineo Ralane, Catherine Steiner, Mike Broglio, and Lafe LaClaire.) A special thanks to Rory and Jude of Ease of Mind Productions for holding my hand during the recording sessions.