VEREENIGING.-  It was talent galore when development soccer teams participated in the JJ Sporting Good Luck Exams Development Tournament at Dick Fourie Stadium in Three Rivers on Sunday (October 10).

This annual soccer tournament saw local teams and Gauteng Development League teams compete for the champion trophy.

Vaal Young Boys FC were crowned U11 champions while Nale Academy lifted the trophy in the U13 category.

It was a great advert for the development of football, seeing future Bafana Bafana stars showcasing their talent in front of fans and parents.

The participating teams came from all over Gauteng.

The top academies that played in the Gauteng Development League also took part in the tournament.

Some of the development academies and teams that featured in this tournament include SSF Dev F, Rovers FC, Eleven Ambitious, Vaal Elite Soccer Academy, JJ Sporting FC and Orange Farm FC, to mention but a few.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport after the tournament, Tyrone Koller, the man behind the initiative, said the tournament was not about winning but allowing these youngsters to have fun and express themselves before their final exams.

Despite the success, Koller sent a strong message to the teams that arrived after kick-off. Because of this, the tournament finals kicked off very late, especially the U13 finals.

“Next time we are not going to allow those teams who arrived very late to participate in the tournament. We had to finish late because some teams don’t respect time. It was unprofessional to arrive late while others were here on time,” said Koller.

The winners received a trophy, gold medals, soccer balls, and cones.