Yenzokuhle Dladla '26 Recruiting Profile

Growing up I competed in all the given school sports but without fail soccer stole my heart. I started playing it at 3 years old and I grew up playing with just boys being the only girl in the team. I never minded it, I actually enjoyed it as I got the level and competition I wanted as well as to beat the boys at their “own game”. I stopped playing soccer for 2 years to focus on my tennis career. Growing up soccer was seen to be a sport that women could never dream to pursue so I was told to stop dreaming. I joined a tennis academy after covid. I did well there and I got the opportunity to represent my country, made itf doubles finals and singles semi finals however my heart was never fully there. Even though I left soccer, it never left me.

I realized after some time, of really pushing those thoughts down, that tennis was never the sport for me it was my parents. I moved back into main stream schooling and it was the best decision. It made me realize that I couldn't give up on soccer.

Some of my biggest strengths as a player are, I have good spacial awareness I know where my teammates and opponents are which helps me deliver precise passes and set up goal scoring opportunities as a playmaker. I am people oriented so I am able to adjust and work well with diverse groups of people; I am able to keep possession and composure under pressure .

I feel that my commendable drive to improve, my ability to be coachable and my commitment to being a team player helps me to adapt well in different environments, on and off the field. I feel the qualities that were instilled in me as a high level tennis player have also improved who I am as a person , through discipline, hard-work, taking accountability and responsibility for myself and being able to be independent. 

In the beginning of this year I got the opportunity to train at IMG Academy. I got to train with the u19 girls team, and I loved being in that high level environment with the amazing coaches, facilities and being around so many great athletes. I am very excited about the potential opportunity to pursue my dream of playing soccer while receiving a quality education and I hope you consider me for your team!