Highlands Park community soccer club not only keeps the youth fit but keeps them off the streets
Highlands Park soccer players are nurtured while honing their skills.
Supportive parents and guardians came out in their numbers and filled the Highlands Park stands for the club’s cup matches tournament on June 19
The club’s junior coordinator Debbie IIouze said, “Today was the first cup matches. If they [teams] get knocked out they do not advance to the next round but we do have league matches every Sunday.”
IIouze added the community soccer club was one big family made up of people from different backgrounds.
“The soccer club, more than anything, teaches children to be tolerant of other children and how to interact with other religions, and children from all walks of life. We try to make each child feel special about themselves, building self-esteem while developing football.”
The coordinator said there was also camaraderie among the coaches of the different teams and age groups.
“A-team players right up to the D team and our coaches put in effort to help an develop them, and we can see the progress in their training every week . Football does not start when you are 14 and you need to nurture children while training them and our coaches are good at this.”
A parent of an U8 soccer player Michelle Thompson said she was happy her son was part of the community soccer club.
“I always encourage my son to play sports because not only does it keep him healthy but he also interacts with other children in the process,” said Thompson.
IIouze added, “Our soccer teams begin from U6 toU19, we have girls that also play with the boys. The community soccer club not only keeps the children fit, but it keeps them off the streets. After Covid-19, the soccer tournament was a big deal. Last year, soccer was the only interaction these children had and we have built a great family.”
Related articles:
Owen Da Gama believes Highlands Park’s recent losses were just a speed bump
