Audio Reading Of Post:
by Coach Dan.
It’s been almost 3 years since the boys’ first training session, and at the time, they were 6 or 7 years old.
I remember so clearly, thinking, wow, there are some beautiful diamonds in the rough here. Really rough.
In that first training, a boy (we call him Zebra) sprinted as fast as a springbok from one side of the field to the other. He was so quick, he outran the ball!
I was thinking, once this boy has the skills to match his speed, he’s going to be an absolute STAR.
It’s 3 years later now, and this boy’s skills do match his speed, and it’s a beautiful thing to behold.
But, it hasn’t been easy.
Although the boys and girls have learned to express themselves on the field, off the field, many are still wrestling with their emotions (and even each other).
There have been so many heart-wrenching challenges in these past few years.
We’ve had the starts and stops of lockdowns, isolations, not-able-to-play letdowns, and civil unrest shutdowns. The boys have cried, they’ve fought, challenged authority and disrespected each other.
One of the team members had to spend 1 month in hospital last year because of an eye issue. No visitors were allowed, just his mum was able to see him once or twice. That one really hurt my heart.
It’s been a confusing, and extremely frustrating time for the boys who struggle to understand why they couldn’t play at times, and why these terrible things are happening around, and to, them.
It’s during these tumultuous times, when a simple distraction; some physical action, can be one of the most effective therapies. To run, and shout, to save a goal and score a goal. To chase a round ball on a rectangle field…
It’s simple, but it’s beautiful.
Thankfully we were at least able to carry on training while many other teams were not. This really did help us from completely losing it. We took this time to practice goalkeeper skills, passing and goal scoring. After a while though, the boys started losing their patience… Even our soccer mums, Zuki, Nontokozo, Ashlé and Thanda, were longing to shout for their boys once again.
“Mam… I mean sir, when are we playing off the village again?” the boys pestered. “Coach Dan, coach Dan, Sir, Mam, Sir, Coach…. COACH… whennnn…”
After a couple of long months, the heavens finally began to open. The turning point was after the unrest, and the third wave, when we were able to start playing friendly games off the village again.
It was glorious. Invigorating. Inspiring.
From September, we organised a game a week for 3 months straight, playing various teams across the city. We’ve had some phenomenal results and some frustrating losses. Most importantly, we saw our boys having fun again and enjoying this very happy part of their lives.
We also saw some very stirring improvements in Character, teamwork, and skill.
With the waves of emotion & expectations, crashing and forming here at the village, here are my highlight from 2021:
During a match, one of our passionate, and sometimes short-tempered players, literally ran the sole of one of his kokos (boots) off.
He came to me during the game, with tears beginning to well, without saying anything, he showed me his shoe without a soul. I could see it was impacting his game, and he was getting frustrated.
I said to him,
“Boy, you can either come off, or you can keep playing and try your best.”
He paused for a second, and then said
“I’ll play.”
He ran back to his position and played out the rest of the game to the best of his ability with half a shoe, and gave it his best shot!
In that very moment, I had an epiphany.
This was what it’s all about! Even though these children got dealt a bad shoe, they still need to compete and participate in this beautiful game of life. They may be disadvantaged, but as a coach, a father, mother, an aunt or uncle, we are trying to give them the confidence and tools to succeed and enjoy, despite their circumstances.
We are trying to show them they are valuable. They are full of potential.
They are loved.
In 2021, challenges and all, we started 2 more new teams – Under 7’s (with coach Nkanyiso) and Under 11’s (Coach Sbonelo). Coach Chris Wagstaff assisted me in 2020 and Coach Jared assisted me with the Under 9’s in 2021. What a blessing these men have been to the boys and me.
To the One who made it all possible, who pulled it all together and made ways where there were no ways: our Father God in heaven, may you be glorified. Thank you for supporting us for the past 3 years in so many ways.
Thank you to our soccer mums and LIV family for such passionate sideline support and self-sacrificial love. Shoutout to Coach Menzi for the wisdom and driving trips aswell as Marco.
Thank you to our very generous sponsors:
- The Guness family & DC Cars for the new kit.
- Rotary Club of Westville for a massive donation of training tops and shorts.
- Shepherd’s Star UK and Cademy FC for donating (and shipping) a whole suitcase full of new and preloved soccer boots.
- My friends and family who made financial donations: Malcolm & Clare, Evan & Anna, Harry & Phyllis, Peter, Denise, Lilliana Corda, Graziella Chamoun, Creasen & Mino Govender and more. With these donations, we’ve been able to buy socks, boots, balls, goals, pay for shoe repairs, and even buy a few birthday and Christmas gifts.
2021 Match Highlights:
Our dreams and goals for 2022.
New goals
R8-12k approx
– Under 11/12s – 6.40 x 2.13m.
– Under 9/10’s size as well (5.64 x 1.98mts).
Socks
R3,500
Buy soccer socks x 40 pairs = Approx R3500
New Balls
R2.5k approx
Size 4 balls x10 – R2450 (R245 per ball)
Coaching salary funding
R1250 per month (low experience).
Covers coaching for 1 team.
Raise money to fund an assistant coach.
National soccer trip for Under 10’s (this would be a dream).
Budget: R60,000
If you’d like to know more or get involved, contact Dan on 072 152 3958 or email daniel@weaverbird.co.za
P.S. For your interest, here are some of our results from the year:
3-1 win against United Academy (La Lucia)
4-2 loss against Al-Falaah (Overport)
1-1 draw (a tournament in Newlands)
1-0 loss (a tournament in Newlands)
4-1 loss against Durban Falcons FC
1-0 loss against Wentworth Warriors A
4-0 win against Wentworth Warriors B
2-2 draw against Sydenham Under 8’s
5-0 win against Sydenham Under 8’s
5-3 win against Supersport United
1-0 loss against Virginia C (Durban North)
3-1 loss against Virginia B (Durban North)
4-1 win against United Academy (La Lucia)
7-2 loss against Riverside Sports
3-2 loss against Iscelo Sports Academy (Pinetown)
19-7 win against Supersport United (Cornubia)
6-1 loss against Riverside Sports
7-5 win against Ballito United
3-2 loss against Golden Stars (Cottonlands Under 11’s)
