U-12 tournament ready for kick off
Reddam will be participating again this year with a new coach.
The u-12 Danone Nations Cup Tournament is back and schools from the Johannesburg Primary Schools Football Association will once again be participating.
Reddam House Bedfordview emerged as the winners last year beating King David Sandton 4-1 in the final match to go through to the provincial finals, where the team finished in third place in the group stage.
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Reddam will be participating again this year with new coach Justin Smallcombe at the helm.
“I hope to match the performance of last year’s team, and even go one better by winning the provincial title,” said Smallcombe.
He said proper training is important and believes with qualifications he can develop the players.
Smallcombe has a South African Football Association (SAFA) Level 1 coaching certificate which he obtained in 2011.
He went on to achieve his Level 2 certificate in 2016 and is currently studying for a Confederation of African Football (CAF) coaching licence.
He also has a refereeing qualification from the Johannesburg Primary School Association.
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“Qualifications are essential. It’s important for children to have the right development before bad habits are learned. The game is becoming more tactical and technical and young players need to learn to anticipate and read the game well.
“They must know about different formations and be able to adapt to the playing styles of opposing teams,” said Smallcombe.
He said South Africa has many talented youngsters.
“It’s important, through coaching, to develop this talent which will ultimately benefit South African football at the highest level,” said Smallcombe.
The schools will compete in an elimination tournament to take place at St David’s Marist Inanda from July 23 to 25.
The ultimate winner will compete in the Gauteng Danone Nations Cup provincial final set for WJ Clement Stadium, Reiger Park, on August 25.
There are 20 schools that have registered. Registrations are still open for those interested in participating.
