The search for the countries best Under 18 football school team is once again in full swing as the 6th edition of COPA Coca-Cola moves into the regional final stage this weekend, 18th and 19th February 2011.
Approximately 60 000 footballers from 3 000 schools registered for participating in the tournament. The competition started in January at Cluster level and the 224 winners will now compete in 36 regional finals with the aim of getting through to the Provincial finals. The tournament culminates with the national finals which will be held at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley from 30th March to 2nd April.
Johannesburg Secondary School, representing Gauteng, emerged victorious in the 2010 Copa Coca-Cola collecting the R150 000 first prize following a 3 – 2 victory over Seiphemelo High of North West in the final match. Seiphemelo received R100 000 for their hard work, Harmony High School of Virginia in the Free State collected R60 000 for third spot while the remaining six sides took home R40 000 each. Prize money was used to fund school legacy projects focusing on education and sports needs.
Anthony Garstang, Brand Experience Manager, Coca-Cola South Africa says of the competition: “Coca-Cola promotes on-going youth development through our active lifestyle platform and COPA Coca-Cola is one of the initiatives that helps us achieve our goal. We further encourage young sports persons on the need for healthy hydration with Coca-Cola’s preservative free sports drink, Powerade.
“We are also encouraged to assist the winning schools in enhancing the quality of their sporting and academic priorities,” explains Garstang.
There will be 10 regional finals happening this weekend with Gauteng’s Johannesburg South starting with four teams. Kick-off is at 2pm at the Ennerdale Stadium in Ennerdale, Friday, 18th February.
On Saturday, 19th February, three regions in Gauteng, two in Mpumalanga and four in the Northern Cape will compete and over the next few weeks regional finals will be played every weekend at various venues. The provincial finals will start happening as soon as all the regional finals have been completed and with some provinces having less regions they will start earlier than others, Mpumalanga being the first province to stage their finals on 5 March.
“Over the years Copa Coca-Cola has unearthed a number of youngsters that have gone on to become professional players including Mandla Masango of Kaizer Chiefs, Happy Jele now at Orlando Pirates, Excellent Walaza currently playing for Vasco da Gama and Andile Jali who competes for Orlando Pirates and is also a Bafana Bafana player. This year will be no different. We expect to see scouts from all PSL Clubs at the provincial finals seeking talent to boost their teams in the future,” said Garstang.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
DATE | PROVINCE | REGION | TOWN/CITY | VENUE | KICK OFF TIME | NO OF TEAM |
Fri, 18th Feb | Gauteng | JHB South | Ennerdale | Ennerdale Stadium | 14h00 | 4 |
Sat, 19thFeb | Gauteng | JHB West | Krugersdorp | Johanna Kruger Park | 09h00 | 14 |
Sat, 19th Feb | Gauteng | Tshwane West | Akasia | Hillsview High | 09h00 | 10 |
Sat, 19th Feb | Gauteng | Sedibeng West | Evarton North | Qelizwe High School | 09h00 | 4 |
Sat, 19th Feb | Mpumalanga | Gert Sibanda | Kinross | Sasol Club | 09h00 | 11 |
Sat, 19th Feb | Mpumalanga | Bushbuckridge | Bushbuckridge | Thulamaheshe Stadium | 09h00 | 14 |
Sat, 19th Feb | Northern Cape | JTG | Mothibistad | Mothibistad Stadium | 09h00 | 5 |
Sat, 19th Feb | Northern Cape | Francis Baard | Galeshewe | Galeshewe Stadium | 09h00 | 4 |
Sat, 19th Feb | Northern Cape | Pixley ka Sene | Douglas | Douglas Stadium | 09h00 | 5 |
Sat, 19th Feb | Northern Cape | Siyanda | Upington | Paballelo Stadium | 09h00 | 2 |
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