From the news desk

VOC Fest showcases young talent

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Junior level soccer took centre stage at the VOC Festival on Saturday afternoon, as teams from the under 8 and under 10 age groups battled it out for top honours. The two teams featured this year were Santos and Thornhill United FC, who brought both A and B sides to compete in the respective age groups.

One of the first fixtures on the card in the under 10 level was Santos A vs Thornhill B, which turned out to be an extremely entertaining affair, largely dominated by the former.
Team coach, Faizel Adams said that taking into consideration they were playing with downsized squads on a smaller field, both teams played extremely well. In terms of his own side, he said it was good to play against opposition situated outside their district, and he also recognised the opportunity the tournament provided in helping develop budding young footballers.

“It is good for the sport because teams always play within their own districts, so it is good for them to integrate with other teams. I think maybe, as a bit of advice we should get more teams involved. Maybe it would take longer, but it would be nice to have more teams from different districts involved,” he suggested.

And whilst most of the kids were showing competitiveness on the field, most of the passion was in fact coming from the parents on the side-lines.

“At this age it’s not the boys that are competitive, but rather the parents. It’s about who can cheer the loudest, but the boys they just come here to play,” he said.

Straying from the football itself, Adams was eager to point out the positivity of the VOC Festival, and what opportunities it brought to those within the community.

“I think it is something good that uplifts the local community and brings them together. It is actually something good, and maybe more companies and sponsors could come aboard,” he hoped.

The junior level football marks just one aspect of the sports on show at the festival. For those with more of a penchant for rugby, an under-15 seven-a-side tournament kicks off after Magrib on Saturday. Almost simultaneously there will be athletics taking place on the track.

Sunday’s sporting events include a continuation of the rugby and athletics, from 8:30am onwards. Sunday morning will also feature a girl’s touch rugby tournament on the hockey field. Be sure not to miss out on any of these captivating events. The VOC Festival runs until Sunday night at the Vygieskraal Stadium, Athlone. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)


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