For the learners at Sol Plaatje Secondary School in Mmabatho it could have appeared as if Youth Day was celebrated earlier than June 16, but the celebrations were in line with the unveiling of goods purchased for the school as runners-up in the 2011 Copa Coca-Cola soccer tournament for the Under-18’s.
The prize money amounted to R100 000 in goods for the school and the wish list included a new treadmill, pacer bike, power stack, tracksuits, soccer and netball kits, and an overhead projector. This equipment, team manager Clifford Shale explains, will be used for the school’s new gym. Unlike many schools that only allow athletes to make use of its facilities, this gym will be accessible to every learner and teacher at the school.
“At Sol Plaatje Secondary School, we believe in the saying that a healthy mind dwells in a healthy body,” says Clifford Shale. “We have always emphasised the need for exercise and healthy food, and it is great to be able to put our money where our mouth is by now having our own gym that everyone at our school will be able to access.”
But there is more to Copa Coca-Cola than having a wish list come true. The tournament serves to develop as well as showcase new talent, which can, hopefully, be channelled to the professional leagues and the national team. “Copa Coca-Cola creates the platform for high school players interested in a professional football career to be seen by scouts from SAFA as well as the PSL and First Division teams,” Themba Nobanda, Brand Manager of Coca-Cola South Africa explains. “Coca-Cola is committed to nurturing grassroots talent towards South Africa’s legacy, while encouraging an active lifestyle among the youth.”
National Copa Coca-Cola winners HTS Louis Botha pocketed R150 000, while third placed Western Cape Sports School take R60 000 worth of school and sport equipment. This is over and above the R40 000 that each Provincial winner pocketed earlier in the tournament.
The prize money amounted to R100 000 in goods for the school and the wish list included a new treadmill, pacer bike, power stack, tracksuits, soccer and netball kits, and an overhead projector. This equipment, team manager Clifford Shale explains, will be used for the school’s new gym. Unlike many schools that only allow athletes to make use of its facilities, this gym will be accessible to every learner and teacher at the school.
“At Sol Plaatje Secondary School, we believe in the saying that a healthy mind dwells in a healthy body,” says Clifford Shale. “We have always emphasised the need for exercise and healthy food, and it is great to be able to put our money where our mouth is by now having our own gym that everyone at our school will be able to access.”
But there is more to Copa Coca-Cola than having a wish list come true. The tournament serves to develop as well as showcase new talent, which can, hopefully, be channelled to the professional leagues and the national team. “Copa Coca-Cola creates the platform for high school players interested in a professional football career to be seen by scouts from SAFA as well as the PSL and First Division teams,” Themba Nobanda, Brand Manager of Coca-Cola South Africa explains. “Coca-Cola is committed to nurturing grassroots talent towards South Africa’s legacy, while encouraging an active lifestyle among the youth.”
Over the years, Copa Coca-Cola has unearthed a number of youngsters that have gone on to become professional players, like Andile Jali currently at Orlando Pirates and also a Bafana Bafana player. Mandla Masango of Kaizer Chiefs is also a Copa Coca-Cola graduate. This year, a number of Sol Plaatje players have been identified by scouts as being promising young footballers that can soon be playing in the professional realm – look out for them in the upcoming seasons.
Copa Coca-Cola was a very exciting tournament for both the coach and the team of Sol Plaatje, Shale reflects. The squad, having doubted in their ability to perform in the tournament earlier on, learned that they should always believe in themselves. The boys from North West Province surely proved the difference it makes to believe in its capabilities when it narrowly lost against overall winners HTS Louis Botha in the final in Kimberley.
National Copa Coca-Cola winners HTS Louis Botha pocketed R150 000, while third placed Western Cape Sports School take R60 000 worth of school and sport equipment. This is over and above the R40 000 that each Provincial winner pocketed earlier in the tournament.
Sol Plaatje Secondary School is already looking forward to next year’s competition, Shale says. “There is only one position better than second - and that is number one,” he comments. “And we will definitely be back again next year to try and win the cup. It is a great tournament with a very high standard of play, and the way the team sees their work on the field translate into something good for the school is a very good life lesson.”
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| (L-R)Amelda Gouws from Coca-Cola, School Coach Mr Shale, Sol Plaatje SS Principal Mrs Kanagaratham and SASFA North West NEC Ms Mathibela |
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| Sol Plaatje Secondary School Soccer Team during thier handover Ceremony |
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