Stellenbosch will host the 2011 Western Cape Provincial finals of the Under 12 Danone Nations Cup. The 6 participating Primary Schools will gather at Idas Valley Sports grounds on Saturday, 11 June. Kick-off will happen at 9am.
Group Danone, one of the world’s largest producers of fresh dairy products, started the competition in 2000 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, explains Sandra Dorville, communications manager of Danone South Africa.
“By bringing healthy food and some good healthy fun together, children learn about life through a shared experience. And to those who get to the world finals, it is an experience that will undoubtedly become a cherished memory,” says Dorville.
Every year approximately 2 000 schools register for participation in the South African Danone Nations Cup and, after tough qualifying rounds, the number gets reduced to nine who then compete in the National finals. From the six teams that will be competing for Provincial honours, only one will get to represent Western Cape at the Danone Nations Cup National final on 09 July. The National winner will then represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals played in Spain from 05-10 October.
Among those who will be chasing the Provincial title is Zwelihle Primary School from Central Karoo region. Founded barely a year ago, Zwelihle Primary School is situated in Hermanus. This unknown and inexperienced school surprised many when they won their Regional finals last weekend. Team coach, Michael Laapie still can’t believe that his team is one step closer to realising their dream of reaching the Danone Nations National Finals: “This is our first time in the Danone Nations cup. To me this symbolizes rewards for the hardship we went through to set the school up.”
Before the department awarded them their own school and sports fields in April last year, Zwelihle Primary shared premises with nearby Lukhanyo Secondary School: “It was difficult to get a team together as many lived far away and had to get home immediately after school. Then there was only one football field for the entire community and we could seldom use it as it was always in use. Now we have our own so we are in control of our own destiny now,” he added.
Although the Western Cape has not produced a school to represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals, the Province is well known for developing talented players who have gone on to compete at the highest level of the game. These include the likes of Steven Pienaar, Benni McCarthy and Kermit Erasmus, the latter being a product of a previous Danone Nations Cup. And as for team Zwelihle, indeed a dream is about to come true for its aspiring young football players.
Zwelihle Primary School will be up against; Parkview Primary School (Winelands Region), Sophahama Primary School (Cape Town Region),Koekenaap Primary School (West Coast Region), Leeu Gamka Primary School (Karoo) and Phakamani Primary School (Eden Region).
Group Danone, one of the world’s largest producers of fresh dairy products, started the competition in 2000 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, explains Sandra Dorville, communications manager of Danone South Africa.
“By bringing healthy food and some good healthy fun together, children learn about life through a shared experience. And to those who get to the world finals, it is an experience that will undoubtedly become a cherished memory,” says Dorville.
Every year approximately 2 000 schools register for participation in the South African Danone Nations Cup and, after tough qualifying rounds, the number gets reduced to nine who then compete in the National finals. From the six teams that will be competing for Provincial honours, only one will get to represent Western Cape at the Danone Nations Cup National final on 09 July. The National winner will then represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals played in Spain from 05-10 October.
The Danone Nations Cup South Africa has launched their social media pages. Click on the below links to access the pages.
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ABOUT DANONE
Danone entered the South African market in 1998 through a joint venture created with Clover SA. In January 2010 Danone acquired 100% of the Danone-Clover joint-venture and Danone Southern Africa was born. With 47% market share, Danone Southern Africa is the leader in the fresh dairy products and desserts.
Danone Southern Africa is part of the Danone Group, one of the fastest-growing food companies in the world. Danone is present in over 120 countries across all continents. With 160 plants and around 100,000 employees, the Danone Group is the number one worldwide for Fresh Dairy Products. Danone’s mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible.
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