The Royal Hearts Football Club, which formed about six years ago started with 11 members and has grown as a family since then. The club is now made up of approximately 60 teenagers and pre-teenagers, which consist of an under 13-years-old, under 15 and under 17 group, with their youngest player being eight-years-old.

“I love running about on the field at practice; soccer is a great way to exercise with friends,” said eight-year-old Donell Kock.

Some of the boys come from as far as Rensburgdrift, Wembezi and Mimosadale to mention but a few. Practice sessions are held every Tuesday, Thursday and the Friday and sees a huge turnout.

Fun matches are occasionally held on Saturday at Princess Park to put the player’s skills to test. There are very few clubs in the world of soccer, which focuses on nurturing raw talent into next level top-quality talent like the Royal Hearts.

Fabian Meyers the coach of the club, works hard to pass down his knowledge and skill, as well as instill principles, morals and values, all while highlighting the potential in the young men at the club.

“Soccer for us is not just a sport of choice but an escape from the world. Soccer has taught us so much like discipline for example,” said Lundre Wilson a member of the club.
“I encourage my boys to play professionally. “Each and every one of these children have become my friend. I have had the opportunity to watch some of them grow. I feel that my boys are being robbed of so much, like a decent field.
“Our vision for the club is to have our very own soccer field because Princess Park is often turned into driving school and a party venue and I have to cancel practice sessions.  “The nearby bridge is also very dangerous,” said Mr Meyers.

Mr Meyers would like to encourage parents to support their children by attending a game or purchasing a soccer kit.

“Parents should be so proud that their children have chosen to polish up on soccer skills instead of going astray with the rest of the crowd doing drugs and all sorts of other things,” Mr Meyers urged.

The club’s success stories will leave you envious.  The youngsters could not agree who their soccer superstar is between Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar da Silva Santos or Lionel Messi.

The young members of the club say that in the next five years they would like to have team mates pursuing soccer as a career and perhaps having their very own soccer academy.

“We want to become successful in life, that’s the reason we decided to choose this path. “Our coach is a great role model to us all; he is our second father or a father figure to most of us, we all look up to him,” said Lundre Wilson on behalf of the team.

The boys would like to thank their coach for dedicating his time to them daily and for always being there for them, not just for their sporting needs.
The club says transport to and from games held out of town is a great challenge and so is a lack of soccer kits.
If you would like to assist the club contact Mr Meyers on 074 851 1114 for more information.