Since its inception
the Danone Nations Cup has touched the lives of over 500 000 under-12
soccer players. The majority become passionate supporters of the game at
club and international level. These are the fans that fill the stadia or
watch on television with friends. But there can be no doubt that the
tournament is the breeding ground for potential stars and a school that
showcased a number of potential stars in 2017 was Idas Valley Primary School
from the Winelands, Western Cape.
The school secured
themselves a place in the national finals last year after beating Saxonsea
Primary on penalties in the Western Cape provincial final.
They did not go on to
take the national title, but a number of promising players received a call up
to join Stellenbosch Football Club and a couple of others were seconded to the
PSL club Ajax Cape Town’s development programme.
Their key player last
year, Tyler Cicero, is the only player from last year’s team that will be
back in action for the school again this year.
The youngster has not only signed for a second year with Ajax CT’s academy, but his former
coach at Maties FC has recommended him to travel to Barcelona in July as a
member of the Soccer Warriors football team that will be competing in an
under-12 European tournament.
Anton Gordon, the Idas
Valley manager, says that plans are progressing well for this year’s
tournament. “I have selected the team and having Tyler back in action
again has proved to be a stabilising influence to the team. He knows the
pressures that come with the Danone Nations Cup and he also is used to
competing at a high level,
so doesn’t get flustered so relaxes the other players.”
This year’s qualification games have
not started yet, but Gordon wants to go far in the
tournament again as he acknowledges the importance of such a tournament. “The Danone Nations Cup is a great way to build
relationships and make friends with other schools especially since they all
come from different areas and cultures.”
“We have a great
relationship with last year’s national winners, Mophela Primary School. I
followed their journey to New York where they competed in the world finals via
Facebook and I am still in contact with the coach Siyabonga Ndimande.” Gordon
said.
A highlight of the
2017 national finals was meeting Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune.
“Very few of the boys had ever travelled outside the Western Cape so going to Joburg to compete
in the national finals was an amazing experience
for the kids,” Gordon said. “It was very motivating for them.”
Schools can still
register for the competition by contacting the national coordinator at the SA Schools
Football Association (SASFA), Themba Tshabalala, on 011 403 2844,
084 290 0602 or 072 588 4957. Alternatively, they can visit the
Danone Nations Cup South Africa Facebook page or go to www.facebook.com/dncsouthafrica to download the necessary documents. (Documents are
also on https://www.danone.co.za/)
Ends
DNC Partners:
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.
One of the core values of the Danone Nations Cup
tournament is to encourage young people to believe in their dreams. Through
this initiative Danone offers a sporting event that reaches out to and inspires
millions of children all over the world
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