Soccer boots needed for CP team

Bedfordview mother and son duo Jennie and Jason Smith are collecting used soccer boots for Jason’s Kwa-Thema soccer club.

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Jason, who has cerebral palsy (CP), joined the Kwa-Thema Sports Academy after he was unable to find a club for disabled youth closer to home.

“We just didn’t have a choice. Jason wanted to play soccer and no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t keep up with players from teams locally. This was the only team for him.

“The academy forms part of a magic community and every one of the children love to be part of the team,” Jennie said.

She added that players especially love it when she takes her camera along to games to capture some of the on-field action.

Jennie said after joining the club around four years ago, she realised how privileged their family had been over the years.

“From a young age, Jason was able to undergo corrective surgeries and regular physiotherapy sessions. He had all these advantages that many others don’t,” Jennie said.

More recently while watching the team practise, Jennie said her heart broke seeing how the children were swapping soccer boots.

“The one player was sitting on the chair in his best Sunday shoes and when he was called onto the field, another player coming off had to swap socks and shoes with him so that he could have a pair of boots to play in,” Jennie said.

The realisation hit her that nearly half of the team did not have soccer boots.

This inspired Jennie to put a post on Facebook asking parents who might be clearing out their cupboards to donate old soccer boots to Jason’s Kwa-Thema team.

Since her post, she has been overwhelmed by the generosity of those in the community.

By Thursday, she had already collected several pairs of shoes, including some brand-new ones.

She still hopes to collect more before the handover on December 4.

“It’s truly amazing to watch the team play. They are always so happy. These children ask for nothing in life. If they fall, there are no theatrics, the players just get up and keep going. They just want to play soccer.”

At recent trials, seven players from the Kwa-Thema club, including Jason, were selected as part of the Gauteng CP team to play in the Toyota National Championships in March next year.

“We are so happy for them. Their coach, who is also wheelchair-bound, has put his heart and soul into this team and couldn’t be happier that seven players made the side.”

Jennie said she could not be more proud that Jason is part of such a dynamic team.

Residents who may have old soccer boots they would like to donate can contact Jennie on 083 414 7500.

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