The 2015 school year has begun,
which means planning for the busy year ahead is underway. High on the agenda of
thousands of schools around the country is getting their entries into the
biggest schools football tournament in the country, the under-19 Kay Motsepe
Schools Cup, in on time. Schools will be eyeing the R3.4 million on offer
in prize money as well as getting their key players the exposure to scouts to
help take their soccer careers to the next level. Schools have until the
17 March to register.
Registration is open and the
Motsepe Foundation, the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA) as
well as the Department of Basic Education (DBE) are encouraging all high
schools to enter the competition as there are plenty of benefits that are associated
with the tournament.
For individual players with
exceptional talent, there is the opportunity to take their soccer career to the
next level. Scouts from the professional clubs keep
an eye on the competition with the aim of recruiting players for their youth
development structures. Then there is the financial implications with the
winning school getting R1 million to spend on legacy projects that benefit, not
only the entire school, but the community at large.
The school that won the R1 million last year, and an
additional R100 000 as Gauteng provincial champions, was
Atteridgeville’s Holy Trinity High School and principal, Andre Catselyn, said
that school will be back again this year to defend their title
“Last years’ win certainly has transformed the school,”
said Catselyn. “We will be using the winning funds to upgrade all the
classrooms, which are in poor condition, we will also put in a projector and
computer in every class and refurbish the school hall, which is used by the
entire community for functions and to teach life skills such as needlework.
“The win has also put our school on the map and we have
had a huge interest from pupils who want to join the school, however many
cannot be accepted as we do not have hostel facilities. This year the
school has grown from 250 to 280 pupils.”
Holy Trinity boasted a 94% matric pass rate in
2014. “We only had 3 Grade 12’s in our soccer team last year and I am
pleased to report that they all passed theirs exams exceptionally well.”
Since Catselyn became the principal in 2011 the pass rate has improved
dramatically from 60%.
The majority of the 2015 team will comprise players from
last year, who are also part of the Supersport United Development Academy and
Catselyn said that the coaching team will remain the same. “Supersport
has given us Kaitano Tembo as the coach and Patrick Moubane as manager and they
will be with us again this year.”
Schools
can access the registration form on the following websites:
Or
contact your nearest DBE district officer
In
association with:
SASFA
Basic Education, Sport and Recreation
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