Could we have asked for better timing – a parallel event to FIFA RUSSIA 2018?
Almost 30 year ago, in January 1989, the legendary Senior Soccer World Cup tournament was launched by local youths and students. During the holidays -when little entertainment was available -gang fights and criminal activities used to flourish and they saw this as a way to combat the situation.
Last year Nigel Crowley, with the support of the Community Police Forum, used the same concept to start a Junior Soccer World Cup tournament during the June/July holidays. Scholars and youth (17 years and younger) from Great Brak and surrounding areas do intensive training for at least 2 weeks. The 3rd week is then dedicated to the tournament when parents, family, friends and community members can attend for free to support the various teams.
Come and support the tournament from9 to14 July at the Greenhaven Sport Field! First match every day at 12h00, with 4 matches played each day – 30 minutes per half and 5 minutes rest during halftime.
Last year 8 teams took part and Russia was declared the winner. This year organizer Nigel Crowley hopes to add another 2 teams: 1 from Friemersheim and 1 from Diepkloof and Van Der Hoven (combined). For the first time 4 girl teams will also participate – they will play “knock outs” on Friday and Saturday.
Each soccer team has a specific country as theme and players live in the same streets or areas. The ten 2018 teams are Germany (Nantes – Amy Searle Street and bottom half of Murray Street); England (Dahlia Street; Watsonia Avenue; Hope Street; Hibiscus Avenue and Protea Avenue); Russia (Wesso Street; Muller Street; Nicolaai Street; Great Brak River Town areas); Italy (top half of Murray Street; Dennesig Avenue; Watsonia Circle; Marrigold Street-1 and Pansy Avenue); Jamaica (Hillcrest Avenue; Nerina Street; Marigold Street-2 and Arcotis Crescent); Brazil (“The Old Wolwedans area” and “OuPlaas”; Bafana-Bafana (“The Old Gauteng area” ; “Zone 14” and “Klip kop”; Portugal (Toekoms / Tergniet ; Powertown / Little Brak River; Reebok and FraaiUitsig); Spain (Friemersheim and other surrounding farms), and Argentinia (farms at Sinksabrug; Goedehoop; Jonkersberg and Hoogekraal areas).
The draw will take place at the Miss Junior Soccer World Cup function on Friday, 6 July. On Monday the 9thteams will gather at Bolton Footwear and walk to Greenhaven Sport Field accompanied by Miss JSWC, the Boys Brigade Brass Band, “Oom Red se donkiekar”, Municipal Traffic officers and Great Brak River SAPS.
Trophies, medals and team photographs will be handed over to the participating teams at the awards ceremony on the 14th directly after the final match.
