The 2015 Spur Masidlale League kicks off this month in key urban areas across South Africa with more than 800 learners and nearly 80 coaches all set for another thrilling season.
Kwazulu Natal will be the first of the regions to host a launch day event at King Zwelethini Stadium in Umlazi this week when the participating teams from Inkonkoni, Isipingo, Gokul, Mzwilili, Lindelani, Emthethweni, Thamela, Zandile, Fundakahle and Zwelesithembiso Primary Schools will take to the field on Wednesday, 15 April.
Launched in 2005, the Spur Masidlale Soccer Programme has successfully used soccer to educate, inspire and empower young people and has now partnered with Grassroot Soccer (GRS) to manage the life skills component of the league.
According to Khakhi Diala of the Spur Group, the Masidlale programme is currently recognised as one of the leading youth soccer development initiatives in the country. “We started with 12 one-day coaching clinics, but the league has grown steadily and has highlighted the huge need for initiatives that provide a platform for youth development. Through the Masidlale programme we teach kids both soccer and life skills and are very excited about the partnership with GRS,” says Diala.
Since founded in 2002, GRS has worked in over 46 countries worldwide with over 716,410 youth graduating from programmes run by GRS and partners similar to the Spur Masidlale Soccer Development Programme.
To ensure quality control and effective mentorship, GRS will conduct a special training session with local coaches leading up to the official launch day events in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban. Through a series of interactive activities and discussions, led by Caring Coaches, participants gain a tangible understanding of a variety of social issues they face and get a chance to practice the skills necessary for sustainable behaviour change.
Key curricular topics covered in a morning training session with local coaches who will lead the life skills component of the league include increased self-esteem, gender awareness, improved decision making skills, increased ability to resist peer pressure as well as better communication skills.
“The league helps kids to realise that learning from others with experience can be great fun, while also of huge benefit to them personally – and that is exactly what we aim to achieve with the Spur Masidlale Soccer Development Programme currently running in Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg,” says Diala.
The official regional launch activations for the 2015 Spur Masidlale League will see more than 200 kids take to the field in the respective regions followed by weekly league meetings over a six-week period between ten boys’ and ten girls’ teams with kids aged between 9 and 13 will determine the overall winning teams. Each of the 800 participating kids from all regions will receive a Spur-branded kit to keep and cherish.
The winning team in each region can look forward to a special VIP PSL experience. Not only will they be treated to a special Spur lunch, but they will also attend a PSL game as team mascots.
ENDS
Author: Christel Liebenberg from Peridot Communications.
More Info link: https://www.interactivesport.co.za
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Soccer fun at the 2014 Spur Masidlale Soccer League launch Photo: Peridot Communications
KZN kicks of national Spur Masidlale Soccer League Photo: Don’t miss the launch day matches at Umlazi this Wednesday.
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