Constandino aims to play for the national team
He said as much as he enjoys playing various sporting codes, soccer is his favourite.
If his collection of trophies is anything to go by, Constandino Christodoulou will soon be wearing national soccer colours.
The grade 7 pupil attends St David’s Marist Inanda. He was born on March 26, 2002, and is part of the Black Aces Academy team based in Bedfordview.
He said as much as he enjoys playing various sporting codes, soccer is his favourite.
Constandino said he started playing soccer at the age of six and has played in tournaments and won numerous trophies since then.
“I started playing at Corinthians and from then my passion just grew for the game. I loved it. My father loves the game; he took me to practice from a young age and is still very supportive,” said Constandino.
He also enjoys rugby and cricket.
At 13 years old, he has participated in many tournaments, including The Bill Stewart Football Tournament, The South African Football Association (SAFA) National Soccer Championship, The Provincial District Football Tournament and The Manchester City FC Academy Tour.
Constandino has been with the Black Aces Academy for the past three years and is the team’s goalkeeper.
He said representing the South African national team is something he is looking forward to in the not-so-distant future.
“My dream is to play for the Black Aces FC first and then go on an represent South Africa in the National Team,” he said.
He is just as serious about his academics as he is about his sport.
Constandino said he wants to study something related to sport.
“My academics are very important to me; I definitely want to finish school and study something to do with sports, maybe sports psychology,” said Constandino.
In May 2015, he was awarded a Champagnat Closed Scholarship to St David’s Marist Inanda. From January 2016, the scholarship will cover a percentage of his annual fees over a period of five years.
He said there is a lot that needs to be done in South Africa to advance the level of sports, especially soccer.
“There is a huge gap when you compare other countries with South Africa.
“Players need to be groomed from a young age. Academies need to start from ages between seven and eight. We need footballers who are bred. A player must concentrate on one particular sport. If you want to play soccer, rugby or cricket; you concentrate on that and not play other sports so that players can be groomed from early on.
“There must be proper football schools that are able to groom these players at a young age so that they have access to sporting equipment and the support they need,” he said.
With all his achievements at such a young age, Constandino will no doubt be wearing our national jersey soon.
