Local players strive to play internationally
They believe that at this age the boys need to enjoy the game as opposed to being pushed too hard.
The Volkswagen Junior Masters is one of the few tournaments that offers South African youngsters an opportunity to compete on an international level, identifying and supporting local football talent at an early age.
The Volkswagen Junior Masters South Africa competition runs from December 11 to 12 in Johannesburg.
This global initiative gives 16 teams of U/13 players from around South Africa the opportunity to battle it out for the local title.
The winner will represent South Africa at the World Junior Masters in May 2016.
The Lindsay Saker Edenvale team was started two and a half years ago by Education Through Soccer (ETS) founder Mr Lloyd Tuffney, with players from all over Johannesburg.
Each player qualifies to join the team via the ETS academy trials.
The ETS academy is connected globally to British and American soccer academies and professional clubs, which aims to give players an opportunity to achieve scholarships both locally and globally.
The head coach, Shawn Tuffney along with ex-Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates star Benedict Vilikazi, have a more relaxed approach to coaching the team.
As a result, training only takes place once a week.
They believe that at this age the boys need to enjoy the game as opposed to being pushed too hard.
“What excites the boys most is that we’re bringing the grassroots level of football into the Volkswagen Junior Masters with the possibility of playing in Paris,” said Mr Tuffney. See the boys in action on the pitch, along with 15 other teams, for a chance to represent South Africa at the World Junior Masters Tournament in Paris in May 2016.
