Social media is now central to how sports news is consumed globally, including in South Africa. Instant access to players and teams through smartphones keeps fans updated with the latest developments.
Tarren Saunders is dedicated to amplifying the stories of female footballers as head of social media at Magic Ladies FC in Cape Town. Through engaging content, she is raising the academy’s profile and ensuring its players receive the recognition they deserve.
“At Magic Ladies FC, I create content that highlights the players’ talent and achievements on social media. I also coach a high school Under-19 netball team, mentoring young girls, developing their skills, and helping grow participation in sports at the grassroots level. Beyond the club, I run my own brand, SportwithSaunders, where I cover a variety of sports, mainly football, and get involved in female football tournaments in Cape Town.”
“I make a conscious effort to feature women’s sport with the goal to amplify their stories and inspire more girls to get involved. I know there is always more I can do, and my goal is to continue expanding my impact, creating platforms for visibility, and helping grow participation in women’s sports across South Africa.”
Magic Ladies FC Head of Social Media, Tarren Saunders
The surge in popularity of women’s sport has seen more and more teams use their social media platforms to bring their players and teams to the fore. Saunders is following the same path, and explains how she showcases the players to put the spotlight on them at Magic Ladies FC.
“The growth of women’s sport in South Africa has had a significant impact on my creative process. With the increased visibility and support, there are more stories to tell, more moments to capture, and a greater audience engaging with the content.”
“As a content creator, this allows me to be more intentional and creative in how I present these stories. It pushes me to create content that not only documents performances but also highlights the personalities, journeys, and impact of the players.”
“The rise of women’s sport also motivates me to raise the standard of my work, knowing that the content contributes to a bigger movement of visibility and representation. It is about creating content that feels meaningful, relatable, and worthy of the platform women’s sport is building.”
The 30-year-old began her media career in 2021 when she contacted then eTV sports reporter Amy Samuels, who decided to recruit her. She revealed how the foundation for her journey in the industry was laid a few years prior.
“I completed my studies in sports management in 2019, and when Covid-19 disrupted the world shortly after, it gave me the time to reflect on what I truly wanted to pursue. I reached out to Amy Samuels, someone I had long admired in the women’s sports space, and she gave me my first real opportunity. That became my entry point into the industry and eventually led me to Magic Ladies FC. It was the perfect fit, as both the club and I were in our development phases, allowing me to grow alongside the team while shaping my identity in sports media.”
Saunders paid tribute to Magic Ladies FC, expressing pride at being part of an organisation focused on ensuring girls and young women are able to live their football dreams.
“It has honestly been a blessing to have this opportunity and to work with individuals who share the same vision as I do. Being part of Magic Ladies FC means contributing to a club that is dedicated not only to growing women’s soccer but also advancing women’s sport as a whole, from developing young players and providing professional opportunities to creating pathways for athletes to showcase their talent at higher levels,” she says.
“It is inspiring to be part of a team that values growth, mentorship, and inclusivity, and it motivates me every day to continue developing my skills while making a meaningful impact on women’s sport.”
Boitumelo Matjila Finds Her Voice as the Pioneer Presenter of the 2026 Telkom Netball League
From the Pool to the Microphone, Olwethu Zondo Finds Her Calling
Para-Cyclist Toni Mould Returns to International Racing and Releases Her First Book
gsport Awards gsport21 Final Code Reveal and Crew Applications Open
Olwethu Mbanjane Turns gsport Awards Experience Into a Rising Career in Sports Media
Suné Wittmann: The Voice of Namibia’s Cricket Evolution
Saunders says it is about time that more women have joined the sports media industry, and she expressed joy at being part of this shift.
“Women have always been the driving force behind sports, whether on the field, in media, or behind the scenes, but for too long, we did not get the recognition or exposure we deserved. Now that the spotlight is on us, the opportunities are endless, and the sky is truly the limit.”
“Being part of this movement is both exciting and motivating; it pushes me to raise my own standards, tell more impactful stories, and contribute to a future where women’s voices in sport are not just included, but celebrated and valued.”
“It also comes with a responsibility to mentor, support, and inspire the next generation of women entering sports media, so they know that their presence matters and their impact can be huge.”
Saunders says being part of the sports media world is a thrilling undertaking for various reasons.
“What excites me most about being in sports media is the people, the opportunities, and the spaces I find myself in.”
“I especially value being part of key moments with players, achieving goals, overcoming challenges, and witnessing their growth, and having the responsibility of documenting those memories and moments for them. Beyond that, I am passionate about storytelling. Being able to capture and share the journeys of athletes gives purpose to the work I do. It is not just about content, but about visibility, representation, and creating a lasting narrative that inspires others.”
She also spoke warmly about fellow women in the industry, naming several figures who inspire her work.
“Julia Stuart is one of my favourite women in sports and social media. I see her as a true icon in the industry. Closer to home, I am also inspired by Bilqees Watson, whose work puts women’s sports on the map through powerful imagery and creates spaces for women and girls in football.”
“Radio sports presenter Tara Lee is another of my favourites; her voice and presence in sports media are so influential and inspiring. I also admire Cato Louw for being unapologetically herself while excelling at the highest level, and Zenande Funani for her consistency and strong work ethic. Internationally, UK photographer Kya Banasko continues to impress me with her exceptional work in women’s football, raising the bar for visual storytelling in the sport.”
Maddie Hubbell Hat-Trick Powers USA Under-20 Women to Series Sweep
SA U19 Women Clinch Historic Youth T20I Series Win Over Pakistan in Rain-Hit Decider
South Africa’s Women Open Their Glasgow 2026 Medal Account with Relay Bronze
Hannah Pearce Brace as South Africa Beat Namibia for 3-Nil Series Lead
All to Play for as SA U19 Women and Pakistan Head to Youth T20I Decider
Kgothatso Montjane Still Chasing Her Maiden Singles Grand Slam Title
Saunders says she is keen to improve her skills in sports media, with ambitions to move into broadcasting.
“My biggest career dream is to continue being excellent at what I do while still loving it years from now. I also want to grow my skills and expand into new areas, like on-air presenting or working on a bigger broadcast platform such as SuperSport, covering women’s, youth, and men’s sport. Ultimately, I want to keep challenging myself, telling impactful stories, and contributing to the growth of sport across all levels in ways that I am proud of.”
She also paid tribute to gsport, which turns 20 this year, describing it as her go-to source for women’s sport.
“All of my updates about women in sport come from gsport’s social media; it is the only outlet that consistently covers such a wide range of sports. Their work has truly elevated the game, giving women athletes the visibility and recognition they deserve.”
“What I like most is that they cover everyone, no matter how small the accomplishment; you do not have to have a big social presence for your story to be told. Without gsport,” says Saunders, “We would not know about so many incredible achievements and stories of women in sport across South Africa and the continent.”
Main Photo Caption: Tarren Saunders, head of social media at Magic Ladies FC in Cape Town, is dedicated to amplifying the stories of female footballers through engaging content that puts the players and their achievements in the spotlight. Photo: Craig Oliver
Photo 2 Caption: Tarren Saunders says the growth of women’s sport in South Africa has opened new doors for content creators and storytellers. Photo: Shage Koopman
Photo 3 Caption: The social media practitioner is determined to use every platform she steps onto to inspire the next generation of women in sports media. Photo: StephTalksFootbal
Photo 4 Caption: Saunders: “All of my updates about women in sport come from gsport’s social media; it is the only outlet that consistently covers such a wide range of sports.” Photo: Bilqees Watson
Photo 5 Caption: Still willing to learn, Saunders says that her biggest career dream is to continue being excellent at what she does, aiming to love it years from now. Photo: Sisipo Mthathi
(+3 rating, 3 votes, rated)
Loading...
