Bantwana College NPC offers a soccer programme for young girls who are passionate about the sport and wish to compete in leagues residing in the Roodepoort area.
Coaches Theo Buttress and Ursula Soombur, together with 11 players, departed on March 28 to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
While the weather was not in their favour as it was snowing, the girls persevered and endured the entire session, where John imparted many soccer learning points and knowledge on how to become a better soccer player.
“Being coached and mentored by a legend like John, not only inspired me, but all of our young girls who have learnt that to become great at soccer, there needs to be hard work, commitment, and an all-out focus on soccer required, and that one person cannot do it on one’s own, it takes a team,” Theo said.
They saw the well-known tourist landmarks on their first trip, and when they got to Connecticut, they got to play a match against the Connecticut Junior US Youth Soccer Olympic Development team, which ended in a 4–4 draw.
“I’m still waiting on someone to wake me from this dream; however, the emotions that linger are gratitude, thankfulness, and humility. We all put in a lot of effort and four years of planning with the help of friends and family, sponsors, players, and parents,” he said.
He further adds that the organisation plans to make this an annual trip by raising funds so more girls can be exposed to such opportunities, with the next trip being in Jamaica in 2025, and thereafter alternate annually between the USA and Jamaica.
