I attended a prize-giving ceremony over the weekend hosted by a local coach who has played a major role in uplifting young men in a less-fortunate part of the community through the power of soccer.

His club, still in its infant stages at two years old, plays in the Benoni South Local Football Association’s Division One and has had its mixed bag of fortunes this season, but results on the pitch aren’t as important as what is taken off it, right?

It’s a cliché but it’s true.

This man has invested a great deal of his time, own money and energy into the betterment of young men in his community and it was evident on the evening that there was a unique and respectable bond between him and his players.

Sitting there on Saturday night I saw the good side of sport.

I felt that otherworldly magnetic pull that draws me to it each and every day.

It wasn’t the announcements of the Top-scorer or the Player of the Year award that upped my adrenaline and enhanced my passion.

Nope.

It was the vibe, the tangible spirit.

It was the development of charming and kind young gentlemen.

It was the unity among a group of men built upon the mutual love for a game.

This coach is just one example of what I perceive a role model to be – someone totally fixated on promoting the good in people by using an invaluable tool like sport.

As the American football player Ricky Williams said: “A team takes on the personality of the head coach.”

If more and more people could commit themselves to the advancement of young people through sport, arts, culture or business then I truly believe that we can put a major dent in the ills that have spread like wildfire in our community.

LG