Teachers, local coaches and players participated in a nine-week series during which 10 schools entered their top teams with kids aged between nine and 13 years. Each team comprised seven players with three substitutes. Three points were awarded for a win and two points for a draw, while a loss received zero points. The boys' and girls' teams finishing top of the log won a special Spur lunch and PSL mascot experience.
According to Khakhi Diala of the Spur Group, the programme is currently recognised as one of the leading youth soccer development initiatives in the country. "We started with 12 one-day coaching clinics in 2005, but the league has grown steadily and has highlighted the huge need for initiatives that provide a platform for youth development. Although numbers are limited to 200 participants per region, we have managed to drastically improve the level of skills training for both coaches and learners," says Diala.
Diala further emphasised that the most rewarding aspect of this corporate investment initiative was that it gave the group the opportunity to change lives. "Soccer is just the tool we're using. Our goal is to empower both the coaches and the kids with important life skills, which will equip them to be role models in their communities long after the Spur Masidlale league comes to a close," says Diala.
The life skills training for the coaches was facilitated by Macsteel Maestros Life Skills and specifically targeted areas that will increase players' self-confidence and self-esteem, while promoting positive behavioural shifts. This will enable players to cope better with matters at home, in their football life, and equip them with better decision-making skills.
To ensure quality control and effective mentorship, Spur invested in additional coaches training. Only local community coaches were selected in each region with the assistance of the local Departments of Sport and Recreation. Most of these coaches already work within the area school structures. The training courses were run by Mathias Himmelreicher, who holds an UEFA coaching licence awarded to him in Germany and also possesses a post graduate degree in coaching science and football. This inspirational soccer experience is designed to integrate children from all walks of life in a one-day, fun-filled, interactive-learning clinic.
Himmelreicher said that the Spur Masidlale Soccer Programme was certainly achieving its key objective to empower both coaches and players. "I've been involved in quite a few development projects over the years, but these projects were normally only one day events. The Spur Masidlale League is special to me as the programme runs over a 12-week period and it is not only a normal soccer league with weekly matches, but a development programme that includes teaching soccer skills and even more importantly life skills. In addition, it also creates jobs for coaches and gives passionate individuals the opportunity to get involved within their community."
"We try to encourage lifelong sports participation with these children. Sport is an amazing educational tool for people of all ages and can be used to teach social and life skills as well as leadership and responsibility. Sport also helps to keep your body healthy. The league helps these 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," said Himmelreicher.
In the Cape Town leg of the league, defending 2013 Spur Masidlale Soccer League champions - the Lwazi girls' and Sokhanyo boys' teams held on to their top spots after an exciting season both logging an impressive 27 points.
Both teams went into the final play-offs in Gugulethu confident that they could take home the coveted title with Lwazi making it three in a row having won the title in both 2012 and 2013. The Lwazi boys' team finished second with 24 points and Sonwabo third with 16 points.
The girls team from Luzuko finished second with 21 points followed by Sokhanyo third also with 21 points, but a 19 goal difference, while Lehlohonolo took third place with another 21 point total and a goal difference of only two.
During the finals at the NU2 Stadium in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth Empumalanga boys' team showed they were true champions finishing convincingly first with 21 points, followed by Imbasa with 16 points and Mboniselo in third place with 14 points. The girls team from Mboniselo however clinched the top spot with 18 points, followed by Melisizwe second with 16 points and Enkwenkwezini in a close third with 15 points.
Going into the playoff in KZN, the boys' teams of Emthetweni, Thamela and Inkonkoni were all on 18 points, but Emthetweni clinched the title with 21 points and a 28 point goal diffence. Thamela logged 21 points and finished second with a 22 point goal difference followed by Inkonkoni third with 19 points. The Emthetweni girls' team finshed top of their log with 27 points, followed by Isipingo with 24 points and Gokul with 17.
Following an exciting soccer season and a jam packed finals in Soweto, the Boiknayo boys' team and the Magaret Gwele girls' teams were crowned champions both logging 24 points. The boys' teams of Enkolweni and Senyamo finished respectively second and third with a close 22 and 21 points. Makgwarane girls were second with 20 points followed by Thathezakho girls with 17 points.
To further render its support to the local community, Spur Steak Ranches put R10,000 up for grabs in a fun soccer skill competition hosted at the Johannesburg and Cape Town finals. Cape-based participants included, Cecil Lolo representing the Baphumelele Childrens Home, Thando Mngomeni representing Red Cross Childrens Hospital burn unit and Thabo Mngomeni representing the Chesire Childrens Home in Langa. Thabo's experience provided the edge he needed to secure a very welcome R10,000 donation to Chesire Childrens Home.
At the Soweto finals Fabian McCarthy for Njabulo Children's Home in Maraisburg and Happy Jele representing Kwa Thema Stimulation Centre in Springs gave it their best shot, but it was Helman Mkelele, who walked off with R10,000 for his chosen charity - Hands of Compassion.
"Spur Steak Ranches is truly invested in our youth and apart from the Masidlale Soccer League, support a number of youth sport development projects that promotes a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle, including the Spur School Mountain Bike League, Spur Adventure Series, Spur Ironkids Aquathlon, Junior Argus and several other events," concludes Diala.
