Stellenbosch Football Club Ladies have appointed Ilze Jones and Shannon Mills as co-coaches for the remainder of the Hollywoodbets Super League season.

Stellenbosch supporters will be familiar with Jones (right) after she previously served as the Head Coach of the Club’s reserve team in the SASOL Women’s League, while Mills (left) arrives after a successful spell with Salt River Blackpool where she helped the team achieve promotion to the second tier.

The duo both hold CAF B qualifications and are widely regarded as two of the most promising young coaches in women’s football in South Africa.

“It’s a great honour for me to have been appointed to this role,” Jones said. “I’ve been with Stellenbosch for almost three years, so I know the culture of the Club, and I’ve seen the growth that has happened, and I think that does help moving forward.

“It makes it a bit easier in terms of working with some of the players, and it’s a very exciting opportunity. It’s great stepping into this role with Shannon, and I’m really excited for us to build on what we have here.”

Mills added, “To be the coach of Stellenbosch FC is a great honour for me, especially at this point in my career. I’m proud to be here and very much looking forward to what comes next. We understand that there is a challenge that lies ahead of us, but we know what the players are capable of.

“Having this time in the top division is massive for women’s football in the region, and in the province as a whole because we have so much potential here, so we want to do well and keep giving those players something to strive towards.”

Jones and Mills will feature in the dugout for the first time this weekend when the Stellenbosch FC Ladies take on the TS Galaxy Queens at Sol Plaatjie Stadium.

“We’ve already built a great team here, and I think the Ladies are ready both physically and mentally,” Jones added ahead of the match. “There’s a positive atmosphere and unity within the team, which is a big plus, and it’s something that can pull us through.”