BSS Scouting Sizani’s soccer talent

Sizani Combined primary school got some special attention last Wednesday as Brazilian Soccer Schools held a football workshop at the school.

BSS North Coast head coach and coordinator Peter Hooper visited the school as part of a plan to spend time coaching and scouting for talent.

Hooper hopes to find 50 promising children to have sponsored training at BSS.

“We are planning to work with the kids on weekends and will be sponsoring transport to get them to practice at Ashton International College,” said Hooper.

In addition, the coach wants to work at the school on Wednesday afternoons to keep developing their skills.

“We will be taking kids from ages seven to 11. When you see that a kid can move with speed and can control the ball, you can help to hone their skills further,” he said.

The young pupils were put through their paces and did a number of BSS ball control, passing and dribbling drills. Hooper believes one of the players, Nqobi Gumede, is an example of what scouting the right players can produce.

“A coach brought Nqobi to me and he has been training at BSS for around a year. He is already a legend. When I drop him off in Shakashead, all the locals chant “Nqobi, Nqobi”,” said Hooper.

With the help of sponsorship from BSS and the Ballito Lifestyle Centre, Hooper hopes to give these children a chance to play football professionally one day.

“BSS is the official junior academy to Supersport United, we feed into their structures. Nqobi will be going on trial with Supersport United at the age of 12,” he said.