SIPHUMELELE PRIMARY SCHOOL WIN THE KZN DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINALS AND ARE A STEP CLOSER TO PLAYING IN LONDON

Siphumelele Primary School from Ezimangweni informal settlement, near Inanda in KwaZulu-Natal join Rietrivier Primary School from the Northern Cape in waiting for seven other primary schools to emerge from the pack ahead of the Danone Nations Cup National Finals that will be played in Johannesburg later in the year.

Siphumelele won the KwaZulu-Natal provincial title of the under-12 tournament at the King   Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi last weekend, beating host school, Ndongeni Primary School, on penalties, after the final ended in a 1-all draw. As provincial winners, they now go through to the National Finals where they will be given the opportunity to reach for their ultimate dream – a trip to London to play in the Danone Nations Cup World Finals.

Siphumelele Primary School coach, Sibusiso Phakathi, says the boys are excited about the trip to Johannesburg for the National Finals. “Some of them have never been anywhere outside KZN and will be travelling such a longer distance for the first time. We didn’t expect to reach the national finals on our first attempt. I know we are going to face eight other teams in June, but us making it thus far shows what we are capable of, and anything is possible,” he said. 

Phakathi said his team made it through to the next stage because of hard work and the support they got from the parents and the school.  “We trained four days a week in preparation for this tournament and every time we had to travel - to cluster and regional games - the school and SGB made sure we had food for the boys as well as water, and the school nominated two teachers to travel with us.”

Winning the national title would mean a lot for the boys, the school and the province, Phakathi said. “I think all the schools that participate would agree that the ultimate wish for all of us is to represent the country in London. We all would like our kids to get that once in a life time opportunity.”

The competition now takes a break because of the school holidays. The next Provincial Final tournament is in the Free State on April 13.

The Danone Nations Cup has been running since 2000. The tournament is based on the belief that sport promotes strong values, and is an essential element in the balance and upbringing of children. The Danone Nations Cup is built on four fundamental values: enthusiasm, openness, proximity and fair play

RESULTS – KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCIAL FINALS

POOL A
Woodford Primary School 1 (3) vs Imzikayifani Primary School 1 (2)
Imzikayifani Primary School 0 vs Uphaphazi Primary School 2
Uphaphazi Primary School 0 vs Woodford Primary School 1
POOL B
Inkatha Primary School 0 vs Empathe Combined School 1
Empathe Combined School 0 vs Enkelabantwana Full Service School 3
Enkelabantwana Full Service School  2 vs  Inkatha Primary School  0
POOL C
Sipheni Senior Primary School 1 (2) vs Maqumbi Primary School 1 (1)
Maqumbi Primary School 1 vs Ndongeni Primary School 2
Ndongeni Primary School 0 (2) vs Sipheni Senior Primary School 0 (0)

POOL D

Taylors Primary School 0 vs Siphumelele Primary School 1
Siphumelele Primary School 2 vs Esukangihlale CP School 1
Esukangihlale CP School 0 (2) vs Taylors Primary School 0 (3)
SEMIFINAL 1
Woodford Primary School 0 (1) vs Siphumelele Primary School 0 (2)
SEMIFINAL 2
Enkelabantwana Full Service School 0 vs Ndongeni Primary School 1

FINAL

Siphumelele Primary School 1 (3) vs Ndongeni  Primary School 1 (1)

 

 

 

About Danone

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.

MORNE MORKEL HOSTS A COACHING SESSION AT CRAWFORD PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Not so long ago, a young boy by the name of Morne was enthusiastically playing Mini-Cricket with his school mates, enjoying the active environment it provided and dreaming of one day playing for his country. Fast forward to present day and that boy has now grown into a world famous international cricketer, a world famous international cricketer that just shared his expertise and experience with a current generation of young hopefuls at Crawford Preparatory School in Lonehill, Gauteng.

Morne Morkel is one of the current Proteas heroes actively involved in the KFC Mini-Cricket programme. In a competition aired on SuperSport during last year’s IPL tournament, viewers could enter to win a coaching session with a Proteas player at a local school, and De Wet Van der Walt was one of the six winners.

As a big cricketing fan and an amateur player, De Wet has always wanted to meet a Proteas player, so he tried his luck in the competition. But as someone who had played Mini-Cricket growing up, he had another plan to make the most of this great prize. “I have 2 nephews in Crawford Preparatory School, Lonehill,  so I opted to nominate them for the prize as they have such great facilities there”, said De Wet who is no doubt now a serious contender for uncle of the year with his nephews.

“Both Michael and Daemon were very excited and couldn’t wait to meet Morne. Michael in particular couldn’t believe it and kept asking when he was coming!” added De Wet when asked about his nephews’ reaction to the news.

With over 100 000 kids involved in KFC Mini-Cricket around the country, special coaching sessions such as these with cricketing heroes of today go a long way in creating the heroes of tomorrow. Something that KFC takes great pride in as they focus on an active lifestyle for South Africa’s kids.

The select group of youngsters from Crawford got to participate in a 50 minute session made up of four cricket stations, with Morne coaching from one of them. After that the Proteas fast bowler shared a few inspirational words with the kids, who each got to spend some time with the star player.

“Having been involved in Mini-Cricket growing up, it’s great to be able to come back to schools with KFC Mini-Cricket and get active with the kids on days like these. There always seems to be a healthy amount of talent on show which is always so encouraging,” said Morne about his experience on the day.

The next KFC Mini-Cricket coaching session will involve the hugely popular Hashim Amla, with the winner of that unique experience being named in the upcoming weeks.

 

HOЁR VOLKSKOOL HEIDELBERG WIN A TRIP TO WATCH THE PROTEAS PLAY PAKISTAN AT THE WANDERERS THANKS TO POWERADE®

Last Sunday was a day that will be remembered for a long time by the learners of Hoёr Volkskool Heidelberg. Over 400 pupils from the school spent the day at the Wanderers bullring in Johannesburg, watching South Africa beat Pakistan in the third One Day International and, for many of them it was their first experience of live international sport.

The school was given the opportunity to go to the cricket after winning the Powerade® Cap Redemption Competition that went along with the Powerade® Performance Session that were run at schools late last year.

Following the session – a training and information afternoon with the cricketers at the schools run by Cricket South Africa’s fitness and conditioning staff, and Protea players – the schools involved were given four months to collect Powerade® bottle caps, with the school that collected the most getting tickets to Sunday’s game.

Hoёr Volkskool Heidelberg’s Powerade® Performance Session was on October 26 last year. It was attended by Thami Tsolekile and, apart from being taught some technical cricketing skills, the players were told of the importance of proper nutrition, and of hydration, in preparing themselves for the rigours of playing the game.

The school’s principal, Henjan Van der Heyde, himself a former provincial cricketer, says they jumped at the opportunity when it was presented to them. “We decided to use it as a project to unite the school towards a common goal and the idea of actually winning the competition was not what we were in it for,” he said. “When we heard that we had won it caused great excitement at the school and going to the game was a great experience for the learners.”

Headboy, Franco Gericke, was at the game and it was the first time at the Wanderers for him. “Seeing this magnificent stadium and being part of the atmosphere was fantastic,” he said. “For many of our learners this was probably the first time that they have left Heidelberg. We are very grateful to Powerade® for making it possible for us.”

Gericke explains that Powerade® was stocked at the school’s tuckshop and that learners were given an incentive to buy the drinks and to bring the caps back to the collection points. “We made it a joint project between the matrics and the new grade 8s who were sent out to collect caps at all sports meetings. “It was a great community project in the school, and going to the ODI game was the cherry on top.”

“Powerade® is the chosen sport drink of many of South Africa’s sports stars,” explains Craig van Niekerk, Marketing Assets Manager of Coca-Cola South Africa. “But effective conditioning is a combination of many factors and through the Powerade® Performance Sessions we are helping to educate young sportsmen on best practices which will assist them in keeping fit throughout their life time.”

KZN HOST DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINALS.

Twelve primary schools from KwaZulu-Natal will be taking a step closer to fulfilling a dream when they play in the Provincial Finals of the Danone Nations Cup on Saturday, 23 March, 2013.  The teams have already competed in gruelling qualifiers in their respective clusters and regions.  The winner on Saturday will go on to compete in the National Finals with the ultimate winner representing South Africa in the Danone Nations Cup World finals in London later in the year.

 

The Danone Nations Cup is an international competition involving U-12 teams from around the world. Since its inception in 2000, the tournament has touched the lives of over 15 million kids with the key message being to follow a healthy lifestyle and to believe in their dreams. The tournament is built on the fundamental values: enthusiasm, openness, proximity and fair play.

 

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Finals will be played on Saturday at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durban. All KwaZulu-Natal regional winners have already been identified and they are: Sipheni Senior Primary School – Amajuba Region; Taylors Primary School – Umgungundlovu Region; Woodford Primary School – Uthukela Region; Emtathe Combined Primary School – Umzinyathi Region; Maqumbi Primary School – Ilembe Region; Uphaphazi Primary School – Umkhanyakude Region; Enkelabantwana Full Service School – Sisonke Region, Inkatha Primary School – Ugu Region, Imizikayipani Primary School – Empangeni Region; Ndongeni Primary School – Umlazi Region, Ensukangihlale CP School – Vryheid Region  and Simphumelele Primary School – Pinetown Region

 

South Africa’s representative at the 2012 Danone Nations Cup World Finals were from KwaZulu-Natal.  Sinamuva Primary School from Pietermaritzburg played in the tournament in Warsaw, Poland. They have not qualified for the provincial playoffs this year.

 

Emtathe Combined Primary School from Sibongile Township will be representing the Umzinyathi region at the Provincial Finals. Their coach, Madoda Ntshingila, says the school first played in the tournament in 2010, and in 2011 they were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the provincial finals. “We hope to do better this time,” he said. “The boys love it because they get to travel, but it is challenging getting the kids to schools that are far away.” 

 

Ntshingila says the team is well prepared and they understand the importance of training and analysing their strength and weaknesses. “We have worked hard to reach this stage of the tournament and I would like them to go out there and enjoy themselves. Deep down, I wish we could win and make it to the national finals, but I will not put pressure on them. It’s about them having fun.” He singles out Mizo Zulu, a defender and striker Kenneth Mabine as his key players.

Siphumelele Primary School, from Ezimangweni Informal settlement, near Kwamashu will represent the Pinetown region at the Provincial Finals. The school was established 10 years ago and this is the first time they are participating in the Danone Nations Cup.   Team manager Emmanuel Mkhize says his players are excited, confident and also nervous. “We didn’t expect to reach the provincial finals on our first attempt. I know we are going to face 11 other teams on Saturday, but for us making it this far shows that we are capable and anything is possible. I believe in my team,” he said. Mkhize says striker Anele Nzamo, and goalkeeper Siyabonga Mkhize will be the players in his team to watch.

 

NORTHERN CAPE TO HOST DANONE NATIONS CUP PROVINCIAL FINAL

Northern Cape will host the first 2013 Danone Nations Cup Provincial Final this Saturday, 16 March at the Keimoes Sports Complex in Keimoes.  Games kick-off is at 09:00. Five schools will be competing for a chance to represent the province in the National Finals happening on 22 June in Gauteng.  The ultimate winner will represent South Africa in the World Finals in London later this year.

 

Participating teams:  

The schools that have qualified to date include:

·         Blaauwskop Primary School (Siyanda Region)

·         Rietrivier Primary School (Francis Baard Region)

·         Madibeng Primary School (John Taole Region)

·         Willie Theron Primary School (Pixley Kasime Region)

·         Namaqualand will be hosting their regional finals on Tuesday, 12 Mar.

 

Road to the provincial finals:

Although Madibeng Primary School has been participating in the Danone Nations Cup since 2010, this is the first time they have reached the provincial finals.   Coach, Tebogo Gaonathebe,  believes he has the team this year to go all the way to the national finals. 

 

Meanwhile, Moupa Peterse, coach of Willie Theron Primary School, situated in the small town of De Aar, also believes his team deserves to be in the national finals.  “We have been participating in this tournament for the past seven years and have reached the provincial finals twice which I believe gives us an advantage as I know what to expect.  We were eliminated in the early stages of the competition last year and I immediately went into action to build the team for this year.” Four of the players in the current squad, including team captain Reuben Godfrey played last year. “I am encouraging the players to take responsibility on the field of play and to also help motivate the newcomers.”

 

GAUTENG'S BRAKPAN REGION START THEIR 2013 DANONE NATIONS CUP FOOTBALL CAMPAIGN

The U-12 Danone Nations Cup football tournament provides the opportunity each year for thousands of young people around the world to engage in a healthy lifestyle through sport and good nutrition and, in the process, to dream big. This year, the dream will be to represent South Africa at the Danone Nations Cup World Finals in London later this year.

The first steps towards that dream have already started in South Africa and next week it begins for the primary schools in the Brakpan district, Gauteng, where 20 schools will be playing in the preliminary rounds of the tournament.

The district competition will run this Wednesday, and on March 18, and resume after the April school holidays. The District Finals will be held at Malandela Ground in Tsakane on April 19, with the winners there going through to the Gauteng Provincial Finals.

The key teams from the Brakpan area are: Lebone Primary School, Phumulani Primary School, Dalpark Primary School and Geluksdal Primary School, with newcomers Mangosuthu Primary School and Mandlethu Primary School being the ones to watch.

“We are prepared and ready for the kick off,” said Phakamani Primary School, team manager Sello Masiteng. “It’s not going to be easy beating the likes of Lebone Primary school as they have been dominating our cluster and we lost 3-1 to them in the inter district qualifiers last year. But this year we are more determined and the boys have been putting a lot of effort in their training”.

Masiteng says it’s too early to tell how things will go for them, but their aim is to reach the provincial finals, as they have never made it there before. “The players are looking forward to competing and meeting children from other schools. Hearing that the World Finals will be in London this year has brought excitement and enthusiasm to the players. A trip like that can change their lives."

 

WELLINGTON HOSTS THE BOLAND KFC MINI-CRICKET FESTIVAL

Wellington is where it all happened on Saturday when the Boland KFC Mini-Cricket Festival took place. This comes the day after the Ram Slam T20 Challenge where the Nashua Cape Cobras, took on the bizhub Highveld Lions at Sahara Past Newlands. Though the two events happened at two very different places of the cricket spectrum, the link between the two is a strong one.

With over 100 000 kids currently involved in KFC Mini-Cricket across the country, there are 16 dedicated Provincial KFC Mini-Cricket festivals held annually. These festivals see a terrific coming-together of a number of youngsters in the name of cricket and camaraderie, creating an environment where these future stars can formulate and sharpen their skills.

Initially focused on creating active involvement and enrolment since becoming title sponsor of KFC Mini-Cricket three years ago, KFC is currently endeavouring to further the programme by creating KFC Mini-Cricket ambassadors. These youngsters have a unique ability in that they can spread the message of the game to kids like themselves, and during the KFC Mini-Cricket festivals kids can audition for these roles.

During the KFC T20 International games against New Zealand and Pakistan, these chosen ambassadors got the opportunity to be involved in the match coin toss, escort players onto the field of play and act as ball boys on the boundary ropes. Something that they are again getting the opportunity to do during the Ram Slam T20 Challenge matches.

One such player is Cape Cobras and Proteas hard hitting batsman, Richard Levi. Not so long ago Richard was one of hundreds of enthusiastic kids who attended a Mini-Cricket festival where he got the chance to bat, bowl, field and keep wicket - the essential all round opportunity that the game of KFC Mini-Cricket affords to all kids participating. From this small beginning, Richard has since become a major player at the highest level, and is playing a key role for the Cape Cobras in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, of which KFC is an associate sponsor. This makes him the ideal example for the youngsters from the KFC Mini-Cricket festival.

An additional attraction at the KFC Mini-Cricket festival was the KFC Action Zone. Here the kids had an additional platform to test their skills and interact with their new found friends, furthering the KFC Mini-Cricket campaign slogan of ‘Get into Action. Get into KFC Mini-Cricket.’

With numerous opportunities to get into the game, as well as experience it at just about every level, KFC is creating a platform for kids to realise their cricketing potential. And from this active platform perhaps get to grow from KFC Mini-Cricket togs to the colours of the Cape Cobras in the near future.

NORTHERN CAPE PRIMARY SCHOOL TAKES FIRST STEP ON THE ROAD TO LONDON

A dream came true for the Under 12 football team from Blaauwskop Primary School from the Northern Cape when they took their first steps on the road to London after winning the Danone Nations Cup regional finals this past weekend.  

This past weekend saw two sets of regional finals in the Northern Cape being completed with the next stop for Blaauwskop Primary School from the Siyanda region and Willie Theron Primary School from the Pixley region being the provincial finals happening at the Keismos Sports Stadium, Keismos on the 16^th March.  Namaqualand, John Taole and Frances Baard regions will be playing their qualifiers this week. 

Coach of Blaauwskop Primary School, situated on Kanoneiland, near Upington in the Northern Cape, Johannes Julie, says the school played in the Danone Nations Cup for the first time last year, when they made it through to the regional finals where they lost to Upington Primary school in the quarter finals. “To qualify for the provincial finals in our second year of participation has brought a lot of confidence on the boys and I think that will help us a lot moving forward,” Julie said.

“We have worked on new strategies this year and it took a lot of determination and commitment from the boys. Fortunately I had 7 players who were part of the team last year, so that made things a little easy for me. I knew deep in my heart that I would want to reach the regional finals again, but I didn’t expect to win because we have strong teams in our region, including last year’s provincial finalist Keidebees Primary School.  I am glad we have passed this stage and our eyes are now on the provincial title.”

Jurie says he sits with the team for about 30 minutes before each practise session and talks to the boys individually trying to build their confidence.  “We trained three times a week in preparation for the regional finals and, although that was difficult, we will now continue where we left off.”

The challenge for the team, Jurie says is that most of the players live about 12 km from the school and, as a result, he can only keep them for an hour after school or else they will miss their last bus. “Sometimes there are only busses three times in the week and on the days when there are no busses we don’t train.”

Jurie says that should they go all the way and make it to the finals in England this year it would mean a lot to the boys. “They come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Most of their parents work on the farms in the area and the kids don’t even venture out of Upington let along travel to the National Finals.  I would like to see us get there as it helps them see that the world is big and anything is possible.”

Jurie singles out two key players in his squad. Randal Bonson, who was part of the team last year, and is a disciplined player and a good attacking midfielder; and Ambrosier Pretorious – also a midfielder whose pace and good passing make him exceptional.

 

JP DUMINY HOLDS A COACHING SESSION AT ALOE RIDGE PRIMARY

 

As part of the KFC Mini-Cricket campaign to get children across South Africa living active lifestyles, JP Duminy held an exclusive KFC Mini-Cricket coaching session with youngsters from Aloe Ridge Primary school yesterday.

 

During the IPL competition in 2012, SuperSport presented a KFC Mini-Cricket competition whereby you could win one of these once in a lifetime coaching sessions. Monica Pillay from Springs in Gauteng was one of six winners that came up trumps and nominated her young cousin, Tiara Maistry, as the recipient for the prize.

 

Young Tiara attends Aloe Ridge Primary, and she, and nineteen of her peers got to enjoy this great day of active fun and learning with one of their Protea heroes.

 

“To be honest I was just trying my luck. I never win anything through competitions and this came as a huge surprise. I couldn’t believe it when SuperSport phoned me.”, said Monica, on winning the competition.

 

Monica, who lists cricket as her favourite sport, is a huge fan of the Delhi Daredevils and had no doubt in what she wanted to do with her prize. “I love my little cousin and I thought this would be a good thing to do for her and her school.”

 

In its third year of sponsorship, KFC involves over 100 000 young boys and girls in KFC Mini-Cricket from schools around the country. Monica admits that 11 year old Tiara’s first love is football, but after the session with JP Duminy, who is interestingly her favourite player, she hoped her cousin’s desire to play the sport more will grow.

 

JP coached the kids throughout the day while sharing inspirational words with the group. Each player had a chance to chat to him and had their bats signed. After having to sadly sit out of all the Proteas Test action since injuring himself in the first Test in Australia at the end of last year, JP was happy to coach the kids and share some interesting cricketing insights and expertise

 

This event will no doubt leave a lasting impression on young Tiara, who had this to say; “It was great to meet JP and have a fun day of cricket with him. I’m really looking forward to more fun days like this with KFC Mini-Cricket in future.”

 

The next coaching clinic will take place in Pietermaritzburg on the 27 February, at Raisethorpe Secondary School  and the coach will be Vernon Philander.

 

As an official sponsor of KFC International T20 cricket in South Africa, and an associate sponsor of the domestic T20 competition, KFC is not just involved in promoting an active lifestyle through KFC Mini-Cricket, but also through including boys and girls within the programme in the international and domestic matches.

 

From the more than 100 000 kids ranging from over 4 500 schools, chosen KFC Mini-Cricket ambassadors get the chance to be involved in the matches as player escorts, ball boys and girls and by participating in the match coin tosses.

 

VERNON PHILANDER VISITS RAISETHORPE SECONDARY SCHOOL

As part of the KFC Mini-Cricket campaign to get children across South Africa living active lifestyles, Vernon Philander held an exclusive KFC Mini-Cricket coaching session with youngsters from Raisethorpe secondary school yesterday.

 

During the IPL competition in 2012, SuperSport presented a KFC Mini-Cricket competition whereby you could win one of these once in a lifetime coaching sessions. Shrikaar Singh from Pietermaritzburg was one of six winners that came up trumps as the recipient for the coaching session prize.

 

Young Shrikaar now attends Raisethorpe secondary school; he won the prize whilst attending Allendale primary school, where he got active through playing KFC Mini-Cricket. Now Shrikaar will get a chance to reunite with his former KFC Mini-Cricket teams mates and enjoy this great day of active fun and learning with one of their Protea heroes.

 

“Because of my love for the sport, when I saw the competition advert, I thought to myself that would be a great experience and I would love to be part of it. I knew we could learn a lot from being coached by a professional and international star.” said Shrikaar on entering the competition.

 

In its third year of sponsorship, KFC involves over 100 000 young boys and girls in KFC Mini-Cricket from schools around the country. Being a talented young batsman, Shrikaar’s favourite player is Hashim Amla, but he was just as excited to find out that Vernon Philander was coming to his school.

 

Vernon coached the kids throughout the day while sharing inspirational words with the group. Each player had a chance to chat to him and had their bats signed. Vernon was happy to coach the kids and share some interesting cricketing insights and expertise.

 

This event will no doubt leave a lasting impression on young Shrikaar, who had this to say; “We all dream of becoming professional cricketers one day, so being able to meet and learn from one like we did today was so special. Vernon was really great and has made me a lot more focused on the game going forward, and what is needed to keep improving as a cricketer.”

 

As an associate sponsor of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, KFC is not just involved in promoting an active lifestyle through KFC Mini-Cricket, but also through including boys and girls within the programme in the international and domestic matches.

 

From the more than 100 000 kids ranging from over 4 500 schools, chosen KFC Mini-Cricket ambassadors get the chance to be involved in the matches as player escorts, ball boys and girls and by participating in the match coin tosses.

 

KFC MINI-CRICKET KIDS AMBASSADORS GET ACTIVE AS BALL BOYS AND BALL GIRLS AT THE KFC T20 INTERNATIONALS

As the official sponsor of the KFC T20 Internationals and associate sponsor of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge, KFC provided the KFC Mini-Cricket ambassadors the opportunity  to meet their heroes and be involved in first class cricket.KFC Mini-Cricket led, a nationwide search  in September 2012 to find KFC Mini-Cricket kid ambassadors. The programme has 100 000 children participating and the chosen ambassadors would get the chance to beball boys and girls, player escorts, and be involved in the coin toss at the T20 series which started with the tour against  New Zealand.  They will now have the opportunity to once again be an ambassador at the Pakistan series.

All the kids who attend these matches will get the chance to emulate their heroes in the KFC Action Zones. At these zones, kids get to hone their batting, bowling and fielding skills at various stations, allowing them to stay active for the duration of their time at the ground.

KFC will also  provide many more KFC Mini-Cricket kid ambassadors the opportunity to be involved in the game as ball boys and girlsat all the domestic T20 games that will take place across the country this year..

With the game of T20 offering new and fresh attractions for cricket fans, KFC’s involvement will ensure kids remain active, continue to improve their cricketing skills and get a taste of what it is like competing at the highest level of the game. Meeting  their role models will also help develop a passion for the sport that will last a life time.