How do you create a sports academy? - African Cup of Nation Winner Neil Tovey

 

South African Football Legend and African Cup of Nation Winner - Neil Tovey  Talks about how he created an academy in South Africa in the 90s that produces players like Steven Pienaar who played for  Ajax Cape Town, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland. Steven is now an international ambassador for Everton.  He covers aspects like the definition of an academy, child safety act, basic requirements to start an academy, equipment, communication, scouting, Agents, education, etc...

IWC chats to Neil Tovey about Setting up an Academy

 

South African sporting icon, Neil Tovey will be the latest guest in the next Intune With Coaching live webinar series edition, aimed at providing functional insight on what goes into setting up a sports academy, coaching clinic, and programme, with the focus primarily on football.

The hugely anticipated webinar will take place on Thursday, 01 April at 6 PM LIVE on Zoom Teams. Register HERE and get exclusive access to one of the country’s finest football administrative minds…for FREE.

This episode follows an interview with the Department of Basic Education’s Bongani Zondi around the regulations for the resumption of school sports, and the presentation given by Intune Communication and Entertainment Founder, Kassey Belluigi regarding the importance of building a brand as a coach.

Tovey, an ex-Bafana Bafana captain, led the nation to our only Africa Cup of Nations trophy which culminated with the famous two-nil triumph in the final against Tunisia in 1996, with former president Nelson Mandela working his Madiba magic at the stadium and across the nation.

Following an illustrious career that spanned nearly 20 years, where he represented Durban City, AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs for a combined 632 times while notching up 52 caps for the national team, the former central defender also took up coaching. He completed his UEFA A licence with a record 90% pass rate on his way to coaching in and winning the Rothmans Cup, Telkom Charity Cup, and the COSAFA Cup with Banyana Banyana.

Long before serving as the SAFA Technical Director between 2015-2020, Tovey also played an integral part in the forming of the Transnet School of Excellence in 1994, an academy that has since produced elite international and local stars such as Steven Pienaar and Bernard parker.

 During the QnA with host and Intune Communications and Entertainment Director, Shawn Belluigi, Tovey will be discussing the tools one needs to get an academy or clinic off the ground.

 This will include the approvals and policies required; the inclusion of education; scouting and recruitment; standard of coaching; coaching programmes; sponsorship; the possible challenges, including the impact of COVID-19, and much more.

 There will also be time set aside for the audience to pose their questions to Mr Tovey, to provide full value to the coaches and administrators.

 Ahead of the webinar, Belluigi confirmed the idea behind bringing in the stalwart and the choice of the topic: “The restrictions that were imposed due to the coronavirus have been lifted and now it is time to get back to playing school sport. Neil will help coaches setup their academies and coaching structures so we can get back to playing sport as soon as possible.

 “I cannot wait until we can spend our weekends watching our kids play their sport of choice and Neil will give us the tools to do it as quickly as possible, that’s what makes this episode so exciting.” he added.

 For more information and content, follow Intune with Coaching’s Instagram page @Intune_with_coaching. #IntuneWithCoaching.

Boland welcomes the U18 Coca-Cola Academy Week

The Under-18 Coca-Cola Academy Week kicked off at HTS Drosdy in Worcester on Monday, and the rugby supporters of the Boland region were out in force to support it.

Dr Ivan Meyer, the provincial minister of finance for the Western Cape, was among them and he said it was great seeing so many spectators from Boland, and from the rest of the country, showing a spirit of togetherness and respect for each other and for the game.

“Boland has a great rugby history and it’s good that this has been recognised in allowing the region to host this week,” he said. “Bringing people together at a sporting event like the U18 Coca-Cola Academy Week builds a good spirit and promotes an active healthy living in the community,” he said.

Meyer hopes the tournament will create long lasting memories and allow the players to make friends from all over the country that live the game.

“A tournament like this cannot succeed without good solid logistical support and project management from the local organization committee, SARU and Coca-Cola South Africa,” Meyer said. “People do not understand what it takes to organize a tournament of this size and SARU are very strict about the minimum requirements that need to be adhered to, to get people to organize a tournament like this takes people from different backgrounds to work together for a common cause.”

The Western Cape government is grateful to Coca-Cola and SA Rugby for what they are doing for the region though this tournament.

Meyer’s thoughts are echoed in Coca-Cola’s objectives as Fetsi Mbele, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager, explains, “Not only does the Under-18 Coca-Cola Academy Week unearth talented youngsters and bind people from all over the country through rugby, it also promotes  a healthy and active lifestyle through their sport of choice.”

Photo caption from left to right: Johnny Cardoso (Coca-Cola South Africa), Jurie Roux (CEO SARU), Dr. Ivan Meyer (Provincial minister of finance for the Western Cape) and Ray Bjierre (Peninsula Beverages Company General Manager)

Ends.

About The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) 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 15 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 www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

Exceptional talent found at the Mamelodi Sundowns Development Camp

Mamelodi Sundowns development coach, Rhulani Mokoena, believes the future looks bright for Bafana Bafana.  This is based on the exceptionally skilled players, scouted at the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup  national finals, currently in a camp put on by the Club.

“I want to commend my team of scouts for their selection as all 22 boys that are  here have the potential to make the Bafana Bafana team one day.  There are no exceptions,” said Mokoena.  “From the first day I could tell that they were technically skilled so we focused on the mental side and their overall understanding of the game,” said Mokoena. “There they lack a little bit, but that’s a common mistake that all players have - a lack of applying their mental game onto the field.”

The squad has played 2 games so far. They beat a Nike Chance team 3-0, and drew 0-0 with the Sundowns u-19 Academy team (Clapham High School). “That’s not a bad result considering the fact that they have never played as team before,” says Mokoena. “I can name a few boys that have caught everyone’s  attention here . Tani Mpusana-Louis Botha, Jason Skippers of-Cloetesville High School, Lugiano Knopp of Okiep High School and Reginald Tsoela of Harmony are all quality players who could well be playing in the PSL soon.

“It’s difficult to speak of major improvements in a few days as more than a week is needed to improve a player’s skills. Our main goal for the camp was to target specific techniques, team work and communication with fellow players and the mental aspect of the game.  These boys are so used to their way of doing things, but they now know what is expected of them and I know that they will carry what we taught them forever.”

This was endorsed by Gian De Jongh of Okiep High School in the Northern Cape.  “What I have learnt from this one week has impacted my game for ever.  Perhaps the most enlightening lesson is how to better position myself on the field.  Sometimes players don’t know where they are supposed to be when a game is in play, and that’s where mistakes tend to happen. You need to optimize your position without slacking off on your duties.”

It’s also been about making friends and De Jongh says he has got to know Kabelo Mabesa more as a friend than a team mate. “We talk about anything and our friendship will continue even after the camp,” he said.  “I know that I will go back home as a different player, I am sure that I will pass it on to my mates that didn’t get the opportunity to come along.”

For Reginald Tsoela he saw the camp as an opportunity to promote his soccer career.  “I would love to play for Sundowns and give them back what they have given me this week.  As a striker you need to be able to make the field work for you.  I learnt so much about creating spaces and opportunities to score goals.  To help with our mental approach they took us out of our comfort zones and I learnt that I can play comfortably in the midfield and centre back.”

Most of the players that attended the camp have just completed Grade 12 and Sundowns has invited all the local Clubs to attend the games and see if they are interested in signing up some of the players.  “I wish we could sign up all the players, but we will only be looking at three or four signing and hopefully the other Clubs will sign up the rest,” said Mokoena

Ofentse Motlhanke	GK	Louis Botha
Junaid Stevens ( PM )	GK	KZN
Tani Mpusana	Defender	Louis Botha
Kabelo Mabesa	Defender	Harmony
Mandla Masangane	Defender	Harmony
Lugiano Knopp	Defender	Okiep
Samkelo Nkosi	Defender	East High
Gian De Zongh	Midfielder	Okiep
Elton Kapinga	Midfielder	Benny Sports
Thabiso Mothijang	Defender	Louis Botha
Ernest Mabathoana	Midfielder	Louis Botha
Khuliso Mudau	Midfielder	Benny Sports
Victor Noosi	Midfielder	Harmony
Reginald Tsoela	Striker	Harmony
Muzi Thabotha	Striker	East High
Bojosi Manjoe	Striker	East High
Fumani Mathebula	Striker	Eric Nxumalo
Molefi Gaobudiwe	Midfielder	Freedom
Jason Skippers	Midfielder	Cloetesville
Angelo Van Rooyen ( PM )	Striker	Rietvale High
Sive Klauhse	Midfielder	Executive Academy
Tshepo mskgopela	Defender/MD	TUKS

Powerade Gives Athlete a chance to ‘Train Like an Olympian’

First time Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour participant, Ian Burger, might not have completed the race after breaking his cycle’s chain, but was drawn amongst over 2 000 entries to ‘Train Like an Olympian’ at the Powerade Sports Academy that will be in operation at the  London 2012 Olympic Games from 5 - 10 August.

“I entered the competition never believing I would be the Powerade Chosen One,” said 27 year-old Burger from Cape Town.  “When I was called to say I had won I thought it was a joke.  But reality set in when the call was followed up by a visit from a Powerade representative.”

The Biomedical Engineer and MRI Physicist, has just completed his PHD in Respiratory Motion Correction in Cardio MRI and is hoping this will be published in the Medical Journals and then adopted around the world as a new practice. The trip will enable Burger to conduct further research and gain insight into advanced training techniques.  Burger is a water sport enthusiast interested in canoeing, surfing and fishing and more recently he started running and cycling.

“I want to attend all the lectures and speak to some of the sports scientists and coaches at the Powerade Sports Academy,” said Burger.  “I trained as a Mechanical Engineer and my fascination of robotic arms pushed me into Biomedical Engineering.  I am currently working on the MRI scanning of fetus’s in-vitro, but robotic arms still remain of key and hopefully the sporting fraternity would benefit from the research I intend to undertake.  I see this trip as a launch pad for my research and this is a good place to start.”

“Powerade is a performance sports drink, and as such, everything we do around our sporting assets ties back to a scientific approach to hydration and exercise,” said Craig van Niekerk, Coca-Cola South Africa Marketing Assets Manager. “Ian is young, energetic and enthusiastic and is looking at getting as much benefit from the Powerade Sports Academy as possible to help him in his profession and sporting activities.  Hopefully the experience he gains through Powerade will give him that added inspiration that will one day make him a legend in medical technology.”

The Powerade Sports Academy gives athletes a chance to meet and train with Olympic coaches and athletes, focusing on skills in five different Olympic sports including athletics, swimming, football, cycling and basketball.

The coaches tailor make sessions using techniques from the various sporting codes to strengthen an athelete’s condition and help them  become better all round born sportsmen.

The Academy will deliver experiences and learnings in technique, fitness, team work, competition, hydration, nutrition and psychology.

Specifically, throughout the Academy the participants will be educated on hydration and how hydrating correctly with Powerade can optimize performance.  There will be both physical and psychological tests carried out throughout the experience to help put these learning’s into perspective.

Lectures will take place at lunch time including psychology and the application of science in sport.