Wednesday, June 28, 2017

The stage is set for a cracking Danone Nations Cup national final this weekend with the winning school to compete in the world finals in the USA in September







The stage is set for the 2017 under-12 Danone Nations Cup national finals, happening on Saturday, 1 July at the WJ Clement Stadium in Reiger Park, with the nine provincial contenders vying for the opportunity to represent South Africa at the world finals happening in New York in September.

Most of the coaches agree that this week is the time for reflection, fine tuning, getting in a bit of rest and most importantly building team spirit and instilling confidence in the kids. 

A coach that has experience at this level, after winning the nationals last year and going on to take his team to France, is Mbishi Mokoena from Benny’s Sports Academy and Development.  He is advising the coaches to encourage the kids to have fun and enjoy the experience. 

“This is not the time to put pressure on the kids and push them,” he said. “For these last few days it is important to do simple things and rest key players so there are no injuries. The coaches must focus on the mental and not physical aspect of the game.  Just explain to the boys what to expect.  They are already champions having come this far.  This is their day to shine.”

Mokoena went on to caution.  “I would also advise the coaches to allow the kids to express themselves and show off their talents.  Don’t shout at them from the side of the field.  They have had them since January and it is now time to let them show what they have and how they perform on the big stage.”

There has been one change to the original school line up with Bankara-Bodulong Intermediate School from Kuruman now representing the Northern Cape and replacing Roodepan Primary School.  The coach, Gaza Mosala, who has a SAFA level 2 coaching certificate, has declared the team ready and able to step in at this final stage.


Entrance into the stadium on Saturday is free and sponsors, Danone, are promising a day full of fun for the whole family.

“As well as the best under-12 soccer teams in the country playing, we have turned the outer fields into an activation area where anyone can come and enter skills competitions and win prizes,” said Chantel Ehlers, Internal Communications Manager, Danone.  “Our kit sponsors, Mille will also be there with over 100 pairs of footwear that can be won.  For the younger kids we have jumping castles, face painters and all sorts of other entertaining things to do.”

Danone’s yoghurt brand, Nutriday, will be showcasing its NutriDay Schools Programme Roadshow where kids are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits and why it’s so important to eat a balanced diet.    All visitors on Saturday will be able to sample Danone’s newest brand DanUp (who has Itumeleng Khune as the ambassador).  Those who haven’t tried it yet… Make sure you do this weekend!

The provincial champion schools are:         
Sekusile Primary School, Mpumalanga
Mophela Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal
Isaac Booi Senior Primary School, Eastern Cape
Phaphama Public School, Free State
Idas Valley Primary School, Western Cape
Haggai Independent School, Limpopo
Mmamitlwa Primary School, North West
Arcon Park Primary School, Gauteng
Bankara-Bodulong Intermediate School, Northern Cape.
 
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Kids competing in the Danone Nations Cup will benefit from a partnership between the Department of Tourism and the South African Football Association (SASFA)


 

The national finals of the under-12 Danone Nations Cup, the biggest soccer tournament for kids between 10 and 12 years old in the world, will take place on Saturday, and while for the teams the prize up for grabs is the national title and a trip to the competition’s world finals in New York in September, the player of the tournament, and the player of the national finals and their families, will get fabulous prizes too.

The Department of Tourism in conjunction with San Parks, in line with its policy of encouraging South Africans to develop a culture of taking holidays, will be rewarding the two players with a week in one of the Department of Tourism’s National Parks. The prize includes a fully-paid trip for 2 parents and 4 kids.

Further, every team that competes in the national finals this year will spend an extra day in Joburg. The Department of Tourism has arranged a tour of the city for them the following day. They will visit OR Tambo airport, take a ride in the Gautrain, go on a tour of Soweto, visiting Hector Peterson Square and Vilakazi Street. They will drive past the Orlando Stadium and have a tour around the FNB stadium finally visiting the Apartheid Museum and dinner at Gold Reef City

This is the second year that the Department of Tourism has partnered with the SA Schools Football Association (SASFA). In 2016 all the Danone Nations Cup finalist teams visited the Cradle of Humankind.

The national finals will take place at the WJ Clement Stadium, Reiger Park on Saturday, 1st July. The gates will open at 9am with the action kicking off at 9.30. Apart from the soccer, the sponsors, Danone and Mille have arranged a range of fun activities and competitions on the adjacent fields where fans can win prizes such as Mille footwear and Danone products including Nutriday, Yogisip, Ultra Mel, DanUp, Nkomasi. 

There will also be industrial theatre performances teaching kids the importance of developing a healthy lifestyle and eating balanced meals.

Entrance is free.

The provincial champion schools are:
Sekusile Primary School, Mpumalanga
Mophela Primary School, KwaZulu-Natal
Isaac Booi Senior Primary School, Eastern Cape
Phaphama Public School, Free State
Idas Valley Primary School, Western Cape
Haggai Independent School, Limpopo
Mmamitlwa Primary School, North West
Arcon Park Primary School, Gauteng
Bankara-Bodulong Intermediate School, Northern Cape.

DNC Partners