POLOKWANE – A coach has to have patience, a passion for the profession and a dedication to his team. But when you are a coach at the tender age of eight, it is a big responsibility for young shoulders to carry.

Coach Boitumelo Mavhulwa is the eight-year-old provincial soccer coach of a new soccer team in Polokwane, the Dalero Football Academy.

He stays in Flora Park and was selected as the team coach because, according to his mentor, coach Evans Nkoana, he has good leadership skills and therefore is the captain of their u/13 team.

“There is no other feeling quite like helping young athletes further develop their natural persistence, determination, discipline, dedication, resiliency, work ethic, heart, leadership skills, connection with and respect for others, not only in competition, but also in life,” Evans said.

He said Boitumelo takes responsibility for the team, when he is not on the field he is the one who always leads the warm-ups and drills, and he also helps them when preparing the pitch as well as motivates the boys. He also helps gather all the equipment after training, making sure the team doesn’t lose anything.

“Being a coach teaches him to be responsible and independent,” Evans said.

“We often train on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and we train Boitumelo to become a better player and also as a professional coach for the future,” Evans said.

Delaro Football Academy will be playing in the Polokwane Local Football Association (Polfa) League.

They are busy with the registration and also in the process of registering the u/13, u/15, and u/17 teams. The League will start on 8 April.

“Our registration for new players is still open for players born between 2001 and 2006, they can also like our Facebook page, Dalero Football Academy, for more information about our academy,” Evans said.

Boitumelo says he loves keeping the team in order and loves learning more from his senior coach, who helps him become a better coach.

anne@nmgroup.co.za