Report on 2009 Schools soccer festival East London

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Teams arrived Thursday 25 June in East London to be greeted by the coldest snap this winter. The weatherman predicted the weekend would warm up but as can be expected got it horribly wrong. The weekend kicked off with a welcome function and dinner at the Gonubie hotel with weary travelers checking in at various times throughout the dinner.

A windy cold Friday saw a really early start with the first games beginning at 09H00. The first round saw Victoria park U19’s from Port Elizabeth taking on Cape Towns Fairmont college on the A field while an epic derby clash between Michaelhouse and Westville boys from Kwazulu Natal took place on the B field. These were both intense fast paced games in which Victoria Park beat Fairmont 2 – 0 and Westville triumphed 2 – 1 over Michaelhouse. Further highlights on day one were Michaelhouse under 19’s beating Kersney college 3-2 in what turned out to be end to end action. At the same time the Talented Pinelands High under 15 side narrowly lost 1 – 0 to Waterberg college from Limpopo province. Much of the days excitement focused on local schools Selborne college, Beaconhurst High and new school Gonubie making their debut appearance at a schools soccer festival. Both Selbornes under 19 and 15 side kicking off the festival with wins respectively over Tech and Gonubie.

Saturday teams awoke to more cold weather but thankfully no wind or rain. The windless conditions, well maintained fields and new confed cup Adidas soccer balls made conditions ideal for good football and this was in plentiful supply. The day kicked off with Selborne college u19’s narrowly beating their more experienced Michaelhouse opponents 1 – 0 while the under 16 section proved to be very competitive with Westville boys drawing 2 – 2 with Buffaloes and Michaelhouse playing out a 1 – 1 draw also with Buffaloes. By the end of day two it was clear that the under 15 section was a two horse race between Waterberg college and Pinelands High.

On a wet Sunday morning Victoria parks under 19’s continued where they left off winning the days opening clash 3 – 1 showing excellent character after an early scare when they went behind for the first time in the tournament thanks to an early strike from R McGrath of Kearsney. This result saw Vic Park finish with a full house of points after winning all 5 of their round Robben games. Waterberg High under 15’s being the only other team to achieve this distinction.

Special mention must be made of the Victoria Park High Boys who certainly proved a big hit both on and off the field and warmed things up most mornings with their early morning arrival songs and wonderful team spirit. I am sure the coaching staff and head are very proud.

Other interesting stats from the tournament were as follows:

• Both Michaelhouse and Victoria park High scoring 15 goals in the under 19 section yet Victoria Park finished on 15 pointsa nd Michaelhouse on 9.
• Westville boys High scored 30 goals and only finished 3rd in the under 16 section behind Buffaloes and African Bus who scored 05 and 14 a piece respectively.
• Pinelands High who finished second in the under 15 section after losing their opening clash 1 – 0 to Waterberg college scored 35 goals to Waterbergs 16 yet Waterberg boasted the stingiest defence at the tournament by conceding only 1 goal throughout the weekend.

A majority decision at the managers meeting on the Thursday night saw the last minute introduction of finals, pitting the top two sides in each section against one another. Unfortunately Victoria park who were traveling back early and Michaelhouse who were carrying far to many injuries decided to call off the final declaring Victoria Park as the winners of the under 19 section.

The under 16 final saw African Bucs triumph over Buffalos club and in the under 15 final the attacking side Pinelands rocked the tight Waterberg college defence with two unanswered goals to finish a good game.

Top goal scorers were as follows:

1. Under 19’s
   a. Freedom Funani (Vic park) 8
   b. Kubeka (Kearsney) 6
   c. Courtney Smith (Michaelhouse) 4
2. Under 16’s
   a. J Roodt (Westville boys) 10
   b. Langa Makhanya (Westville Boys) 5
   c. Siyasanga (Greenfields) 4
3. Under 15’s
   a. Chellson Carollisen (Pinelands) 9
   b. Chad Muller (Pinelands) 7
   c. Manganye Katlego (Waterberg college) 7

Other prizes:

• Fairplay award went to Michaelhouse under 19 team
• Most spirited team was shared between Westville boys and Waterberg college
• Victoria Park won the best team at the tournament.

In the under 19 and under 15 sections the coaches picked an All Stars side choosing the best available players at the tournament based on position.

Under 19’s

1. J. Van Rooyen – Selborne
2. M Collins - Michaealhouse
3. D Miskey – Tech
4. L Moss – Vic park
5. D. A’ Hearn – Kearsney
6. Z. Sali – Vic park
7. B. Roussow – Fairmont
8. T. Gardner – Mhouse
9. R. McGrath – Kearsney
10. T. Rhylance – Fairmont
11. F. Funani – Vic park
12. S. Moodley – Selborne
13. S. Twana – Vic park
14. S. Kubeka – Kearsney
15. M. Diabro - Mhouse.

Under 15’s

1. Manganye Thabo – Waterberg
2. Lonwabo Tshiki – Tech
3. Theo Williams – Selborne
4. Jarana Zuko – Greenfields
5. Challan Pawson – Tech Stars
6. Chad Muller – Pinelands
7. Madihlaba Ofentse – Waterberg
8. Zukile – Selborne
9. Mvuyisi – Gonubie High
10. Manganye Katlego – Waterberg
11. Luke mathews – Selborne
12. Odwa Ngcanga – Greenfields
13. Cheslyn carolusen – Pinelands
14. Ryan Sarmie – Pinelands

SA Sports Tours would like to thank all the coaches and staff who took time out of busy schedules to organize boys, collect payments and attend this event. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did hosting you and look forward to meeting up with all of you next year.

A special thanks must go to Dr Cowie from Westville boys who traveled through from Durban to attend the event and say a few words at the closing function. Thank must also be extended to Mr Vermaak from Victoria Park who drove through from PE to watch his boys win the under 19 section and also thank you to Mr. Mey from Beaconhurst who took the trouble to come down and watch the Beaconhurst games. To Mr. Bhe Bhe at Selborne a special mention for your efforts to push soccer at Selborne resulting in the school playing in an event of this nature for the first time in their history.

Well done Mr. Wattrus for getting football off the ground at Gonubie High. Also thank you to all those who traveled from far off. James and Ernest, Waterberg (make sure you chaps travel with a GPS next year), Mr. Leonard from Pinelands Cape Town, Mr. Veldman Fairmont Cape Town, Dr Joan Clarke Vic Park PE, Mr. Tim Jarvis from Michaelhose who sorted out travel arrangements for the Michaelhouse boys (Sandile and Linda who traveled through with the boys), Mr. Nyar who brought the Wesville boys through and last but not least Mr. Amos who I believe I may have played against when studying many years back at UPE and he at Rhodes. Thanks for your support Wayne and the fantastic idea of selecting the All Star side and taking the time to co ordinate selection with the other under 19 coaches.

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