Grahamstown Primary Schools Soccer Under 13 Boys Dream League
International acclaim and hype around 2010’s soccer should not just be focused on the big games but rather the big dreams of primary school children in The Grahamstown Primary Schools Football League.
The Grahamstown Primary Schools Soccer League was established in 2008 by Rhodes University Sports Administration in conjunction with the Department of Education and the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
The league consists of 18 primary schools grouped into four streams and matches take place every Tuesdays and Thursdays at four locations close to these schools.
This league promotes inter-schools competitions whilst also fostering camaraderie among learners from different schools. It also establishes a recruitment base for the clubs affiliated to the Makana Local Football Association, as well as creates more formal structures for local and regional federations of football to select representative teams from.
Given the challenges that this project has faced in the past two years Rhodes University Sport Administration approached Dreamfields (www.dreamfieldsproject.org) for support as Dreamfields’ main interest is in the primary schools environment.
Dr Saleem Badat, Rhodes University's Vice-Chancellor, whose passion for football prompted him to study for an English FA coaching qualification said, “I believe that our success in soccer as a nation depends on providing decent facilities and equipment and proper coaching from a very early age, supported by sound organisation. The Dreamfield’s focus on schools soccer has the potential to make us a winning soccer nation, apart from bringing joy and opportunities to our children and youth.”
“Rhodes is especially committed to partnerships with historically disadvantaged local schools,” says Vice-Chancellor Dr Saleem Badat. “We aim both to enhance the quality of educational provision on the part of schools and to facilitate opportunities of a cultural and sporting nature.”
At present, none of the schools have adequate kit and Dreamfields has committed to raising funds for DreamBags consisting of soccer boots, shin pads, and full playing kit for each of the 18 schools in the Grahamstown DreamLeague, at R6 000.00 per kit bag. “This is a goal we share with government. And in the city of Grahamstown, we have found another great partner. Rhodes University has a strong commitment to using its resources and expertise to make Grahamstown a better place.”
For more information and donations, please visit www.dreamfieldsproject.org , select Rhodes University’s Primary Schools Dream (178) or alternatively contact Mr. John Perlman of Dreamfields at:
011 833 1050 (Tel); 011 833 1051 (Fax); 083 443 0330 (Mobile) info@dreamfieldsproject.org (Email).
Your assistance towards realization of the children's soccer dreams will be greatly appreciated.
