Monday morning started off with overcast skies, promising as heavy a downpour as was had on Saturday. For this reason, the morning was spent reviewing football matches, and analysing games, with the coach encouraging feedback from the children.
Just after lunchtime, however, the skies cleared, and the boys took to the field for some dribbling exercises. The morning rest seemed to have had a rejuvenating effect on them, as they took to this task with unmatched zeal.
clothing 4 children, in partnership with turn the tide 4 children, facilitated the distribution of clothing, and the boys queued eagerly outside the tent, waiting to see which items of clothing and shoes would best fit them.
The six teams assembled outside the tent before lunchtime, and, once inside, chose clothing which best suited their needs. Once done, the boys headed straight to their allocated dormitories to fit on the clothing, and the thankfulness streaming from their faces was indeed a sight to behold.
Choosing my fit
The boys were put through their paces on the soccer field, under the more than able instruction from coach Khulu, and the assistant coaches. Everest (assistant coach), remarked that, “the boys are doing well, and are gelling fantastically with each other, on and off the pitch”. He noted that he has personally witnessed friendships being struck up, and expressed his hope that these prove to be lasting.
The children are becoming more of a single unit, and act, think, and behave themselves as one, which is an encouraging sign indeed. This singleness of purpose has manifested itself in a number of ways, most notably, in the way that the children already seated during lunchtimes, wait for everyone else to arrive before saying a prayer and tucking in to their food.
This day also marked the arrival of the Dutch contingent, who will be lending their time and skills to the soccer 4 children initiative. They are Abel, Ella, Tegemn and Hans, from a youth team in the Netherlands called FC Mussels. The visitors were received by Martin Deacon, and Elvis Mvulane, who took them on a tour of the grounds, and shared with them the vision which is the soccer 4 children initiative.
The Dutch contingent (l-r Tegemn and Hans)
The children, on this day, are such a different group from the day of their arrival. Everyone has settled in, and are much more willing to share different stories relating to their past, the circumstances at home, and their joy at being a part of this initiative.
“I am so happy that the coaches listen to us, and are giving us a sense of the importance of discipline in all areas of our lives,” says Keegan (13), from Randburg. The children are thankful that the coaches have proven themselves to be more than able, and have verbalised their confidence in the coaching staff on numerous occasions.
Operating as a unit
This experience is a first for many of the children here, and we trust that all the values imparted to them will become as relevant in their daily lives as it is at the soccer clinic.
To get more information about the soccer 4 children initiative, or to donate your time, equipment or funds, please click here.
