Youth development system at Parkmore

Sandton Warriors FC boasts a robust and well-structured youth development system for their footballers, at George Lee Park, Parkmore.

Founded by Moria Valkin and Herold Matodzi in 2011 at the Wanderers Club, the football club invests heavily in identifying and nurturing young talents from a very early age, providing them with top-notch coaching, facilities, and resources.

According to Valkin, their expertise lies in their junior coaching, which starts at 3 years old.

“Over the years, we have focused on enriching the lives of our coaches too, by investing in their training and assisting them towards being the best junior professional coaches in the city. Together, with our players, we have travelled to the best overseas tournaments, including the Cordial, Donosti, and VillaReal cups.”

She added Bevan Fransman is the head coach of the boys who play in the Gauteng Promotional League.

“The club understands that producing great footballers goes beyond on-field skills. Sandton Warriors FC places importance on the holistic development of our players, including education, character-building, and instilling a strong work ethic, and this approach ensures that players are well-rounded individuals both on and off the field.”

Matodzi, who is a junior coach, highlighted that the club had developed the likes of Kenneth Simmons (Jessica Motaung’s son), who is now at Kaiser Chiefs, and Gomolemo Kekana who is now at Sundowns.

“These two young men are just two of the many players that have been developed by us from a young age and could be on the cusp of achieving greatness.”

He said they have sponsored more than 30 players on overseas trips and have sponsored coaching for about 200 talented, aspiring football players over the years who play in the older age groups up until U19.

“As Sandton Warriors FC, we stand out as a football club dedicated to excellence in player development.”

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