West Rand soccer league ensuring no team is left behind

Where there is an open strip of grass, all it needs is ambition and vision to turn it into a field of dreams.

The newly formed West Rand Soccer League (WRSL) is pumping on all cylinders, hosting a league-wide showcase at Davidsonville Stadium on Saturday, 10 April. The prime location is among the best facilities in Roodepoort and is begging to be put to good use. With four fields, change rooms and a large shaded grandstand, WRSL is planning to turn the site into the focal point for football in the area.

Founded with 20 teams drawn from the suburbs that surround Davidsonville, chairman Brendon Rousseau hopes to fill a void left by years of neglect. “It is an opportunity to get more children involved in soccer as finance on travelling contributes to non-participation in sport. They travel far to join outside local football leagues and the close access to a league will encourage more children to participate,” believed Brendon.

As with all start-ups, there are numerous teething problems to overcome. The appetite to play is not always supported with the necessary resources, with some teams struggling to assemble playing kit, and general administrative costs. Another key issue is the lack of referees so if any member of the public wants to join the team of zebras, slots are available.

“Well, the vision is simple; we want to make this the best youth league in the country and we want it to grow. I thought things went well on Saturday and I’m sure it will only get better going forward,” said founding member, Junior Mwale from Euro Soccer Schools.

The primary goal of WRSL is to uplift the sport, the community and the development of the area, giving football and Davidsonville something to be proud of.