The search has begun! Primary schools around the country have started competing in qualifiers to find the team that will represent South Africa in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals happening in Spain from 5 – 10 October with 40 participating countries.
Over 2 000 schools registered for participation in the 2011 Danone Nations Cup South Africa and this Saturday, 16 April, North West will host their Provincial Finals at the Ikageng Stadium in Potchefstroom while Lynville sports grounds in Witbank will host the Mpumalanga Provincial Final. Kickoff for both events is 09:00am.
According to Sandra Dorville, communications manager of Danone South Africa, Group Danone started the competition with the desire to act sustainably on behalf of children’s well-being and health. “Football as a universal sport is the perfect way to promote values like fair play, the pleasure of the game, team spirit, sharing -and above all- human values like openness, and respect,” she explains. “Since the tournament started in 2000 we have touched the lives of over 15 million people around the world. Everyone that participates has the objective of reaching as many people as possible in that particular country.”
South Africa is now the country that has won the DNC more times than any other, and any team that embarks on the journey towards the National final will have big boots to walk in. One coach who has had experience in the tournament in previous years, Oupa Masela, of Stellaland Primary School - is not counting chickens just yet.
“This will be the fourth year that our school is taking part in the Danone Nations Cup,’ he says. “We’ve made it to the Provincials for two years now, and I hope we will be able to get to the Nationals and ultimately of course the boys would love to represent South Africa in the World Finals.”
The team from Vryburg in the North West province has faced an interesting challenge this year as Coach Masela was moved to a high school, leaving an opening for a new coach. But because no one could be found in time to take the reins for this year’s edition of the Danone Nations Cup - being a passionate coach that he is, Masela jumped in to help out.
“I have set up formations, lined up substitutions and given a pep talk - all over my cell phone,” laughs Masela, who, because of other commitments could not always be on the sidelines when his youngsters took to the pitch. The team still won their games, regardless of being coach-less. “But now they have my full focus. They have done very well so far and I want them to feel like they have all the support they need to be the Provincial champions.”
Phaphamani Primary School from Mpumalanga are the new kids in the Provincial line-up. The team has never participated in the Danone Nations Cup before, but the prospect of going overseas is very exciting to the young footballers, says team coach and manager, Fanie Nkosi.“Our young ones are very excited to have an opportunity to show their skills,” says Nkosi. “There are no tournament like this one for the younger footballers that does not compromise on the quality of play. So both the team and I are excited to see what will happen. Maybe we will open our eyes and find ourselves in Spain - if we play well, of course.”
Neil Tovey, ex Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs captain, will be following the tournament closely: “I have been a part of the Danone Nations Cup for a few years now and I have a keen interest to see how the youth progress each year. I have been attending a coaching course in Pretoria for the past week and it has been an eye opener as it has given me more insight into youth football development. I can’t emphasise enough the importance of these kids just going out there and enjoying themselves. This is not the age to be too competitive. Coaches must even make training sessions fun bringing in different elements where they kids can enjoy themselves as this is where they develop the passion for the sport. “
The National finals will take place at Eldorado Park on 11 June, an important date as it was that date in 2010 when the FIFA World Cup kicked-off in South Africa.
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