A successful junior league season saw the ext 1-based FC Samuels honour its players for their dedication and commitment at an award ceremony held at the ext 9 swimming pool on December 6.
FC Samuels had a stellar season under the Eldorado Local Football Association (ELFA). The U15 team scored 150 goals and conceded 10 to win the league.
The U10 team won 15 of 26 games, finishing third, and the U13 team came 13th. The club’s ladies’ team also had notable performances.
Coach Brinton Solomons expressed pride when handing out the awards, noting that most players come from areas often labelled as violent.
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“Seeing their growth, discipline and confidence felt overwhelming and special,” said Solomons.
He added that the recognition is well-deserved and hopes it inspires other age groups, from the U13s to the ladies, to push harder next season.
The ceremony featured prominent guests Warren Swartz, the director of ProAthlete SA; Shaun ‘Garf’ Govender, and Nathan ‘Mourinho’ Davies from the Stokes FC, also known as Eldos’ national team.
Victory January, the mother of top goalscorer Dejan Williams, said she was proud of her son’s achievements on and off the field.
“I’m proud of him because not only does he excel in sports, but he also does well academically. Supporting my son at every game and event has been a big opportunity for me,” she said.
She encouraged parents to be involved in their children’s lives, adding that parental support makes a difference in a child’s confidence and success.
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Jayda van der Plank, an U17 player for the regional and ELFA teams, said she felt honoured to celebrate their achievements as a team.
“The girls deserve it because of the effort we put in. Not everyone gets a chance to be at such an event,” she said.
Reflecting on her experience, she added, “We played against teams and players we didn’t know, so I had to quickly get to know my teammates and fight for a position. It was a great experience playing with the regional team.”
Lashan Makhlangu, a centre back and the captain of the U15 team, was honoured with the player of the season award.
“After a year of hard work and dedication, it’s rewarding to be recognised. Despite setbacks and injuries, we stayed focused and pushed ourselves all season,” he said.
