Friday, February 18, 2011

COPA COCA-COLA SEARCH FOR TALENT IS IN FULL SWING

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
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