Soccer club celebrates successful first year
Anyone can reach out to the club for more information. Age groups from U6 to U17 are welcome to join as well as older footballers wanting to join the Senior Premier League team.
THE Greenwood Park Football Club, founded in December 2022, celebrated its first year in existence by remembering its successes and earmarking new goals they would like to achieve as a club in 2024.
To name these achievements, in 2023, the U9 division went unbeaten, the U17 won their respective league, the seniors finished third in the Premier League and Keana Singh was selected to play for KZN from the U10 division.
The club, which currently operates from Workington Grounds, held its first open day on January 30 when 135 players registered. This total has since grown to 250.
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Although the venue for games is within the Greenwood Park area, the club attracts players from neighbouring areas, such as Avoca, Redhill, Effingham and Briardene.
Speaking to Northglen News, chairman Lorton Haines said it was not only soccer training that the children are taught but life skills, too.
“We provide football and life skills to school learners, orphaned and vulnerable children. Children from three neighbouring informal settlements also attend. Our football club consists of dedicated and experienced coaches with former professional football players’ background, managers and community members who all provide the relevant skills for the children,” he said.
The board is made up of Lorton Haines, Melissa and Gregory Julius, Lyle Oakes, Tarryn and Lance Olivier, Andrew Dunn and Linton Woodenberg, all with the common passion of finding sporting talent in youth and helping them hone these talents. They also prioritise the upliftment of all children who attend sessions.
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“Apart from providing the youth with a space to showcase their talent, the purpose of the club is to eradicate boredom which could lead to drug use, theft and becoming unproductive in the community. We are working with schools to identify and assist orphaned and vulnerable children and provide assistance to meet their basic needs,” said Haines.
He added that the support from the community and business sector has been phenomenal.
“From local small to medium business to community members in their personal capacity, we have managed to get this far. There’s a full list of sponsors on our website. Greenwood Park Football Club is a registered NPC, and we appeal for assistance from those who are able to help as we aspire to grow the club into a powerhouse in the greater Durban area,” added Haines.
The plans for 2024 are to host and participate in various football festivals in Greenwood Park and to help with community work, such as clean-ups and the like.
Training days are Monday to Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00. Prospective players are welcome to walk in, or they can contact secretary Linton Woodenberg on 071 206 2224.
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