The Brazilian Soccer School hosted their first holiday camp, at the Elspark Sports Grounds, from September 23 to 26.
Brazilian Soccer School provides soccer training and coaching to young footballers.
They have training every day during the week, and organise holiday camps for every school holiday, running from Monday to Thursday.
It is an internationally acclaimed soccer school with nine existing branches in Gauteng.
“The school started working in South Africa two years ago and it is growing phenomenally well, from strength to strength,” Derek Raath, one of the Brazilian Soccer School coaches, said.
Among other things, the Brazilian Soccer School’s coaches focus on developing individual skill and morale.
They train with small balls that do not bounce. This comes as a challenge at first, but it is to the players’ benefit in the long run, because once they know how to handle the small ball, the bigger, normal sized ball becomes a “walk in the park” to play with.
The participants develop their football skills at these training sessions, but they are also taught about morals and principles, such as respecting peers and elders, dedication and responsibility.
The juniors who participated in camp one never missed a training session.
They started applying what they were taught.
For example, when they would accidently cause each other to fall, they would shake hands and help each other up, instead of blaming each other.
“The attitude lives in the heart” is one of the things Raath would say to the players during their training sessions.
“We focus on individual development, building these youngsters to become leaders and better individuals,” said another coach, Rudy Jacobs.
The school builds the person as a whole, it is not just football.
“A champion picks up litter when they come across it, they do not say ‘it is not my litter’,” Raath added.
The Brazilian Soccer School is not restricted to boys only, they also have girls who train with them and they are just as determined and passionate as the boys.
“I recommend the school to other soccer parents, because not only does it keep the youngsters busy, it builds their character and you are able to see the difference in their play and behaviour,” said Modiehi Msimango, the mother of one of the players.
Msimango’s son, Keletso Msimango (11), plays for Luso Africa FC, situated in Hattingh Park, Primrose East.
The players are given participation and completion certificates at the end of every camp.
