SURPRISES SEEN AT LOFTUS AS THE COCA-COLA UNDER 13 CRAVEN WEEK CONTINUED

The 18 teams competing in the 2011 Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week played their next set of games at Loftus Versveld today with some surprise results.

The fans that came to watch rugby development at its best were not disappointed.  The day kicked off with Leopards taking on inform Boland in a highly entertaining match which ended 19 -13 in favour of Leopards.  Boland has been exceptional this year and many believed this team could well go on to compete in the final.

But the game of the day was between the Blue Bulls and Limpopo. In arguably the most nail biting and emotionally charged game of the week; fans from Pretoria, who turned out in large numbers, were left heartbroken as Limpopo sneaked in a narrow 20 – 17 victory after Schalk Erasmus converted a penalty kick in the dying minutes of the game.

 The next great duel saw the Gauteng Lions, who became tournament favourites after beating the Bulls on Tuesday, being outplayed by an unbeaten Western Province in a 13 – 9 victory. The team from the Mother City are now the tournament favourites.

In other games KwaZulu Natal, who started their Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week with an impressive win over the Lions,  were defeated 13 -10 by the Pumas  and the Cheetahs beat the Griquas 5 – 0 in a low scoring, uneventful match.

The tournament comes to a close tomorrow, Friday, 2 July with games taking place back at Affies.

Of the 40 years of its existence, Coca-Cola has been part of the week for the past 26, a statistic the company is proud of.  “Coca-Cola sponsors tournaments at the highest level and we are fully aware that no country can be successful without a strong development programme in place and Coca-Cola has played a major role in finding Springboks.  More than 90 percent of the current squad have competed in one of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks,” said Zayd Abrahams, Head of Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola South Africa.

Abrahams said further: “But the four weeks we are involved with, namely the Coca-Cola U13, Academy, Under 16 and Under 18 weeks are also about living for a difference and living a healthy lifestyle.  These are the messages we also promote throughout each tournament.”

Results

Zimbabwe 39 v Namibia 5

Griffons 22 v SWD 0

Free State 5 v Griquas 0

Border 21 v Valke 14

Western Province 13 v Lions 5

Blue Bulls 17 v Limpopo 19

Eastern Province 10 v Border CD 6

Pumas 13 v KZN 10

Leopards 17 v Boland 13

Bulls celebrate a try during day 4 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 30

Christiaan Claassen of the Bulls during day 4 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

EP player passes the ball during day 4 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Henk de Leeuw of the Bulls tackled during day 4 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Limpopo players celebrate the winning conversion against the Bulls during day 4 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Play during day 4 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Ruan Vermaak of the Lions on the run during day 4 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Urgen Johannes of WP on the run during day 4 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool

Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week Day 3 Morning Results

The Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week got back underway this morning with a couple of big games on the schedule. The game of the day was meant to be the Bulls vs Limpopo. The Bulls started off the week with a well deserved win and looked like they were going to be great hosts but came unstuck with the Lions on Tuesday. Today’s opposition, Limpopo, has set the standard at the tournament so far thumping  the Free State and SWD. The home team put up a good show and narrowly lost 17-19. Limpopo scored 3 tries, 2 converted, to the young Bulls 2 tries, a penalty and 2 conversions. Brian Bouwer from the Bulls scored 14 points and his counterpart, Schalk Erasmus, scored 11 points.

Another big game was Western Province vs the Lions. Western Province won comfortably 13 – 5 scoring 2 tries.

Results for the morning games.
Border 21 - 14 Valke
WP 13 - 5 Lions
Blue Bulls 17 - 19 Limpopo
EP 10 - 6 Border CD
Pumas 13 - 10 KZN
Leopards 17 - 13 Boland


Next week there is the Coca-Cola Under 15 Rugby Week at Queen’s College, Queenstown. It should be another great tournament.

SPRINGBOK LEGEND PIETER MULLER OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SA RUGBY

Great excitement and loud cheers greeted Springbok Legends, Pieter Muller, Krynauw Otto, Warren Brosnihan, Werner Swanepoel and Johan Ackerman when they arrived at the Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week, currently underway at the Afrikaanse Hoer Skool (Affies), today.

The legends were there to conduct a coaching clinic to help the boys further develop their mental attitude, ball skills and understanding of the game.   Muller’s message to the coaches was to start at the bottom and make sure that players grasp the basics of the game at this stage of their development. He also reminded them not to take the fun out of the game by being too competitive and just focusing on winning.

Muller, who is passionate about rugby development was impressed with the talent on display: “Based on what I’ve seen here today it is hard not to be optimistic about the future of South African Rugby.” Although optimistic Muller has identified some challenges: “There is still a significant skills gap between players from disadvantaged backgrounds and those from the traditional Rugby environment. The main purpose of such initiatives is to raise awareness of such challenges and focus on minimising that gap”. 

Judging by the enthusiasm of the players and their comments after the clinic, they all felt inspired and determined to show off their newly acquired skills when the Coca-Cola Craven Week games resume tomorrow

The Loftus Versveld management has agreed to allow the boys to play on their sacred field thereby giving them the opportunity to experience what it is like to play on the very same field their heroes play on and also get a feeling of the stadium atmosphere.

Tomorrow’s proceedings kick-off with the Leopards up against Boland.  Key matches will see the Blue Bulls taking on Limpopo and the much anticipated game between Western Province and the Lions. The day ends with Zimbabwe up against Namibia.

Of the 40 years of its existence, Coca-Cola has been part of the week for the past 26, a statistic the company is proud of.  “Coca-Cola sponsors tournaments at the highest level and we are fully aware that no country can be successful without a strong development programme in place and Coca-Cola has played a major role in finding Springboks.  More than 90 percent of the current squad have competed in one of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks,” said Zayd Abrahams, Head of Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola South Africa.

Abrahams said further: “But the four weeks we are involved with, namely the Coca-Cola U13, Academy, Under 16 and Under 18 weeks are also about living for a difference and living a healthy lifestyle.  These are the messages we also promote throughout each tournament.”

The first Under 13 Craven Week took place in Potchefstroom on 3 July back in 1972.  Forgetting to book referees was one of the teething problems the local organising committee had to contend with.  But this is history and the tournament is now established and one every young rugby player strives to compete in.

30 June:  Fixtures

1. Leopards vs. Boland
2. Pumas vs. KZN
3. EP  vs. Border CD
4. Bulls vs. Limpopo
5. WP vs. Lions
6. Border vs. Valke
7. Free State vs. Griquas
8. Griffons vs. SWD
9. Zimbabwe vs. Namibia

Greg Muller speaks to the boys

Johan Ackerman and Krynauw Otto

Pieter Muller

Warren Brosnihan and Wim Meyer

Warren Brosnihan during the Springbok ledgens coaching

Werner Swanepoel and Pieter Muller

Wim Meyer and Pieter Muller

The second day of the Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week at the Afrikaanse Hoer Skool (Affies) promised to be a day filled with action and potential upsets. With Springbok lock Bakkies Botha in the stands, and the Blue Bulls vs Golden Lions game on the cards, fans knew that a special day was ahead of them. The day started with SWD proving too strong for tournament under dogs Namibia, who have suffered heavy defeats in both their games played. Limpopo continued to play good rugby and were rewarded with an impressive 27- 7 win over Free State, and are looking like the team to beat at this year’s tournament.

Zimbabwe, who started the tournament well after beating Griquas in their opening match 15 - 7, were unable to repeat this performance and went down 15 – 7 to the Valke.

The game of the day, and possibly the tournament, saw the Blue bulls up against the Golden Lions. With the Bulls playing at home many anticipated a win, however it was not to be. The lions dominated the game from the moment the first whistle blew and seemed the hungrier of the two sides, eventually walking away with a convincing 8 – 3 victory against their arch rivals.  The Powerade Chosen One of the match, Nathan Macbeth from the Lions, had nothing but praise for his opponents: “Beating the Bulls on their own turf means a lot to me and the team. We have great respect for the Bulls, they are a brilliant side and to beat them at The Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week is really special”.

The loss puts the Bulls out of contention for the final, however with Western Province and KwaZulu Natal playing brilliant rugby, despite KZN losing to Eastern Province in a highly entertaining game, fans can be certain to be entertained until the final whistle blows to signal the end of the tournament on Friday. With no games being played tomorrow the young players and coaches will take part in a special Legends Coaching Clinic which will be headed by Ian MacCintosh and Pieter Muller.

Of the 40 years of its existence, Coca-Cola has been part of the week for the past 26, a statistic the company is proud of.  “Coca-Cola sponsors tournaments at the highest level and we are fully aware that no country can be successful without a strong development programme in place and Coca-Cola has played a major role in finding Springboks.  More than 90 percent of the current squad have competed in one of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks,” said Zayd Abrahams, Head of Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola South Africa.

Abrahams said further: “But the four weeks we are involved with, namely the Coca-Cola U13, Academy, Under 16 and Under 18 weeks are also about living for a difference and living a healthy lifestyle.  These are the messages we also promote throughout each tournament.”

The first Under 13 Craven Week took place in Potchefstroom on 3 July back in 1972.  Forgetting to book referees was one of the teething problems the local organising committee had to contend with.  But this is history and the tournament is now established and one every young rugby player strives to compete in.

Results

SWD 17           vs.     Namibia 0

Boland 12       vs.    Border CP 17

Valke 15         vs.    Zimbabwe 7

Free State    vs.   Limpopo 27

Bulls 3            vs.    Lions 8

Leopards 10  vs. Pumas 11

WP 32           vs.     Border 14

EP 11             vs.     KZN 5

Pictures of Day 1 Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week Day 1

Knocks Stevens during match between EP and Griffons on day 1 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 27, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Powerade "Chosen one of the match" receives his prize from Norman Rielly (National Events Manager) during match between EP and Griffons on day 1 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 27, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Powerade chosen one, Brian Bouwer receives his prize from Norman Rielly (Nationa Events Manager) during the match between Blue Bulls and Boland on day 1 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 27, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Powerade chosen one , Craig Glove receives his prize from Norman Rielly (National Events Manager) during the match between Lions and KZN on day 1 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 27, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Powerade chosen one, Michael Visser receives his prize from Norman Rielly (National Events Manager) during the match between Leopards and WP on day 1 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 27, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Johan Serdyn tackled by Francios de Beer and Ruan Mons Manamela during the match between Blue Bulls and Boland on day 1 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 27, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Lance Lambrecht during the match between SWD and Namibie on day 2 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 28, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

 Lindsay Mould hands the Powerade chosen one prize to Frederick van Zyl during the match between SWD and Namibie on day 2 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 28, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Powerade chosen one, Rhuxwana Gamkrla Peter de Villiers during the match between Boland and Border Country Districts on day 2 of the Coca-Cola U13 Craven Week at Afrikaans Hoer Skool on June 28, 2011 in Pretoria, South Africa.Photo by Lee Warren / Gallo Images

Under 13 Coca-Cola Craven Week Day 2 Morning Results

Free State	7 - 27	Limpopo
Valke	15 - 7	Zimbabwe
Boland	12 - 17	Border CD
Griffons	10 - 8	Griquas
SWD	17 - 0	Namibia

Under 13 Coca-Cola Craven Week Day 1 Results

Blue Bulls	17-7	Boland
WP	18-6	Leopards
Lions	8-10	KZN
EP	12-5	Griffons
Border	17-12	Pumas
Free State	27-0	Namibia
Limpopo	28-0	SWD
Valke	9-12	Border CD
Griquas	10-17	Zimbabwe

OS DU RANDT WATCHES SON PERFORM AT THE COCA-COLA U13 CRAVEN WEEK

 The 40^th Coca-Cola Under 13 Craven Week kicked off today at the Afrikaanse Hoer Skool (Affies)  with 18 teams competing.  The first day’s fixtures were decided by the Organisers but from tonight the managers and organisers will meet to fixture games for Day 2.  The same format will continue throughout the week.  The winning team of each game today will go into the A Section and teams 10 to 18 will play in the B section.

Free State and Limpopo started their campaign on a high both knocking up wins with a large margin of victory.  Free State beat  Namibia 27 – 0 with 4 tries scored.  Three of the tries were scored by Tian Du Randt, son of ex Springbok  Os Du Randt, who was in the stands watching his son made his debut in development rugby.  This superb performance earned the youngster the Powerade Chosen One of the Match.

Limpopo notched up a greater win beating South West Districts 28 – 0.  The Powerade Chosen One of the Match scored one try, converting one and went on to kick 2 penalties.

Of the 40 years of its existence, Coca-Cola has been part of the week for the past 26, a statistic the company is proud of.  “Coca-Cola sponsors tournaments at the highest level and we are fully aware that no country can be successful without a strong development programme in place and Coca-Cola has played a major role in finding Springboks.  More than 90 percent of the current squad have competed in one of the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks,” said Zayd Abrahams,  Head of Sparkling Beverages, Coca-Cola South Africa.

The first Under 13 Craven Week took place in Potchefstroom on 3 July back in 1972.  Forgetting to book referees was one of the teething problems the local organising committee had to contend with.  But this is history and the tournament is now the tournament any young rugby player strives to compete in.

Morning Results:

Eastern Province 12 v Griffons 5

Free State 27 v Namibia 0

Border 17 v Pumas 12

Valke 9 v Border CD 12

Limpopo 28 v SWD 0

Griquas 10 v Zimbabwe 17

Afternoon Schedule:

Lions vs KZN

Western Province vs Leopards

Blue Bulls vs Boland

THE VENUE FOR THE SANLAM KAY MOTSEPE SCHOOLS CUP NATIONAL FINAL HAS BEEN CONFIRMED

Free State will be hosting the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup National Finals.

The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in partnering with Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation, Ubunto Batho, and the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) will host the National Finals of the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup both this year and in 2012. Sixteen teams will compete in the finals which takes place from 13^th to the 16^th July. 

“The Free State Provincial Government is proud to partner with the prestigious Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup tournament,” said Mr Dan Kgothule, the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in the Free State.

Over 300 footballers between the ages of 15 and 18 will be in Bloemfontein to compete in the tournament and the Free State Provincial Government will be ensuring that the experience they have will be unforgettable.  “The youth of today are tomorrow’s role models, heroes and leaders and we hope that when they leave they will have memories that will inspire them to live their dreams,” Mr Kgothule concluded. 

Sanlam, sponsors of the tournament, will have a strong presence on the final day at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium as well. “While we see the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup as contributing to the development of South African football, we also use the opportunity to create awareness about the importance of financial health and planning,” explains Frank Louw, Sanlam’s sponsorship manager.  “We’re going to have Sanlam tents where our staff will promote wellness, fitness and nutrition amongst the public. We’ll also have a financial exhibition to help South Africans become financially literate and a career stand for the youth while the little ones will be able to have fun with their favourite Takalani Sesame TV characters.”

Reputedly the biggest high school soccer tournament in South Africa, the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup offers the national winner a R1-million prize, runners-up R700 000, a third prize of    R500 000 and the school finishing in fourth place receives R400 000.  This prize money excludes the R100 000 that each Provincial winner gets. Prize money is not handed over to schools in cash but is spent on legacy projects identified by each school. Now that the exhilarating action of the Provincial round has come to an end, the national final promises to be the highlight of the school soccer calendar, concluding this year’s season of the under-19 tournament.

The people of Mangaung Metro are invited to come and celebrate the beautiful game with the Department of Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation as well as Sanlam, the Motsepe Foundation, Ubunto Batho, and SASFA.  The semi-finals and final will take place on 16 July at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium.

GAUTENG PROVINCIAL FINALS OF THE SANLAM KAY MOTSEPE SCHOOLS CUP

Gauteng will host the eighth Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup Provincial Finals this Saturday, 25 June, at Sebokeng College Sports Ground in Sebokeng.  The winning schools will get R100 000 prize money which will be used to fund legacy projects identified by the school. Schools that finish in the first and second place both go on to compete in the National Finals.

Participating teams:

Dr Vilakazi Secondary ( Orlando West),Johannesburg Secondary ( Johannesburg), Harry Gwala High (Etwatwa – Benoni), Lamola high(Meadowlands), Jet Nteo Secondary( Boipatong- Vanderbijlpark), Khanya Lesedi High ( Ratanda- Heidelberg), Rosina Sedibane( Laudium) and a winner between the Transnet Sports School of Excellence( Elandsfontein) Central high School ( Soshanguve).

All eyes will be on the reigning champions Jet Nteo Secondary. Crowned both Provincial and National champions in 2010, Jet Nteo will be the team to beat, even though many of the players that were in the winning team will not be competing again.

But Jet Nteo has some stiff opposition as some of the schools that will also be competing have links with some of the PSL Clubs.   Johannesburg Secondary School is one such school and has a couple of Orlando Pirates development players in the team.

 Rosina Sedibane Sports School is another key contender whose Under 17 football team recently represented South Africa in Brazil.  This team is bound to have some of the players included.

Sedibane coach, Hendrick Kgosana, believes the team will do well:  “We haven’t been lucky in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup in the past however I believe we stand a good chance of getting to the National final this year as I have a better and well prepared team.  We have been participating in the tournament for few years now and it is time for us to be triumphant.”

About the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup:

The Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup is an initiative co-funded by Sanlam, the Ubuntu-Botho Community Development Trust and the Motsepe Family Foundation. It the biggest high school soccer tournament in South Africa and is open to all high schools including rural, public, private and independent schools. The National winning school will walk away with R1 million with R600 000, R500 000 and R400 000, for the second, third and fourth placed schools respectively. Each Provincial winners gets an additional R100 000. Prize money is used to fund legacy projects identified by the school. 

GAUTENG
REGIONS	FIXTURES	VENUES
Orlando West	Dr Vilakazi Secondary School	Sebokeng College Sports Grounds, Sebokeng Township, Gauteng
Johannesburg	Johannesburg Secondary School
Benoni	Harry Gwala Secondary School
Meadowlands	Lamula High School
Vanderbijlpark	Jet Nteo Secondary School
Heidelberg	Khanya Lesedi High School
Pretoria	Central High School
Laudium	Rosina Sedibane Sports School

The tradition continues – Coca-Cola again pledges its support of Youth Rugby

For the past 26 years the month of July has become synonymous with Coca-Cola Youth Rugby and 2011 will be no different.

Coca-Cola South Africa announced that the global soft drink giant will continue to support the    Coca-Cola  Under 13, Coca-Cola Under 16 Grant Khomo and the prestigious Coca-Cola Under 18 Craven Weeks in 2011.  This year will see the inclusion of the Coca-Cola Academy Week for the first time

Coca-Cola’s continued support has come at a crucial time: “2011 is an important year in Rugby with the IRB World Cup happening in a couple of month’s time.  What this event always highlights is the need for South Africa to have a strong development programme in place to build for the future and Coca-Cola is proud to be the brand to make this happen. The Coca-Cola Youth Weeks are where players begin their quest in tackling the future,” said Zayd Abrahams, Head of Sparkling Beverages for Coca-Cola South Africa.

Abrahams continues:  “It has long been the belief of The Coca-Cola Company that, while we sponsor sporting codes at the highest level, we should complement this by making a direct contribution towards strengthening sport at the broader level.  After all, without a strong development programme in place a sport cannot compete successfully on the International stage.”

“For Coca-Cola the Youth Weeks are also aimed at promoting on-going youth development through encouraging young people to live an active healthy lifestyle and to live for a difference,” said Abrahams.

The Youth Weeks commence on 26 June with the Coca-Cola Academy (University of Johannesburg’s Athletic Stadium) and Coca-Cola Under 13 (Pretoria) Weeks.  The Under 16 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week takes place from 3 to 7 July in Queenstown culminating in the pinnacle tournament, the Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, between 10 and 16 July at the Griqualand West Stadium in Kimberley.

This tournament is the hunting ground for talent scouts trying to find the best new players for their Provinces.  For the players this is the opportunity to further their careers.

The Rugby fans that cannot make it to Kimberley can see all the Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week action live on SuperSport who will be covering the games for the duration of the tournament.

Through Coca-Cola’s hydration beverage, Powerade, there will be a ‘Powerade Chosen One of the Match’ award handed out to the top player of each match in all tournaments.  This will be extended in the Under 18 Coca-Cola Craven Week to include a ‘Powerade Chosen One of the Day’ award handed out to the one player that shows exceptional excellence each day.  This does not necessary have to be the best player but can also include the player that has improved the most from the previous day.

Coca-Cola further recognises the personality profile and talent needed to be a team captain and will be staging a ‘Captains Hour’ where captains will be invited to meet up with a past Springbok captain.  Again this will take place across all Youth Weeks.

“The Coca-Cola Youth Weeks give players the platform to create spectacular magic on the field, let the sparks fly and just let their passion and enjoyment for the game be their ruler and all else will slot into place.  These players will be the next generation of Rugby heroes. Greatness beckons!” concludes Abrahams.

The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio features 14 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at

SIPHO MNGOMEZULU’S OLD PRIMARY SCHOOL CROWNED 2011 DANONE NATIONS CUP GAUTENG PROVINCIAL WINNER!

Sapebuso Primary school is the 2011 Danone Nations Cup Gauteng Provincial champion!  The school from Orlando West, Soweto, beat Sunnyside Primary from Pretoria, 3 – 1 on penalties to clinch the title.  Both teams tied with one goal each at the end of regulation time. Sapebuso, managed by a determined and feisty woman, Lahliwe Rakosa, will now compete in the Danone Nations Cup National Finals taking place at the Eldorado Park Stadium on 9 July.

“This is just fantastic,” said an elated Rakosa.  “We have never competed in the Danone Nations Cup before and to win at our first outing is just unbelievable.  We would like to go on and win the National Finals and bring the trophy back to our home area which is District 12. We have done this for them.”

Credit must go to the young 12 year old captain, Keorapetse Mothosola,  who marshalled the back exceptionally well throughout the day.   “I have been hearing my friends talk about the Danone Nations Cup for years now and today was my turn to shine.  I really got confident after winning the first two games but was a bit worried coming up against Bree Primary.  I believe we will do well at the National Finals,” said the youngster who one day wants to play for Kaizer chiefs.

Sipho Mngomezulu from Bidvest Wits is a product of Sapebuso Primary. “We might not  have played in this prestigious competition, but soccer is a key sport played at the school and we are proud of our products such as Sipho and we will produce many more in the future,” said Rakosa.

The 2011 Danone Nations Cup winners will represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain from 5 to 10 October.

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.

Results

Pool A

Benoni West 0 – 1 Bree Primary

Sapebuso       1 – 0 Makapane

Benoni West 0 – 1 Sapebuso

Bree Primary 0 – 1 Makapane

Makapane     1 – 0 Benoni West

Sapebuso       0 – 0 Bree Primary (Bree 4 – 2 on penalties)

Pool B

Sunnyside       1 – 1 Diodi

Kgotletlelang 0 – 0 Ukhanyiso (Ukhanyiso 3 – 2 on penalties)

Sunnyside       1 – 0 Kgotletlelang

Diodi                0 – 0 Ukhanyiso (Ukhanyiso 3 – 2 on penalties)

Ukhanyiso      0 – 0 Sunnyside (Ukhanyiso 2 – 0 on penalties)

Kgotletlelang 1 – 0 Diodi (Diodi 3 – 2 on penalties)

Final

Sapebuso    1 – 1 Sunnyside (Sapebuso won 3 – 1 on penalties)

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.

2011 COPA COCA-COLA RUNNER-UP GET THEIR WISHES FULFILLED

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.”

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.”

(L-R)Amelda Gouws from Coca-Cola, School Coach Mr Shale, Sol Plaatje SS Principal Mrs Kanagaratham and SASFA North West NEC Ms Mathibela

Sol Plaatje Secondary School Soccer Team during thier handover Ceremony