Experience boost for local young soccer stars
FIVE uMhlathuze Local Football Association (LFA) registered uMhlathuze U13 soccer players had an experience of a lifetime following a nine-day trip to the United Kingdom recently thanks to Anglo American Thermal Coal and
Richards Bay Coal Terminal.
Wandile Ngema, S’bongakone Mayise, Asimbonge Mdunge, Mvelo Ndlovu and Simphiwe Mathaba were accompanied by coach Siyabonga Ziqubu and Anglo American representative Leonard Andrews, who is also
the uMhlathuze LFA Development Co-ordinator for the region.
The group of seven were warmly welcomed to the Anglo American head office on arrival and were treated to a visit to De Beers to learn about diamonds.
‘The trip can best be described as a life changing opportunity for the boys, who got to see London, visit Dubai, use the UK rail system and attend a Premier League match,’ said Andrews.
The trip was mainly aimed at letting the five players experience different cultures and see how the UK lads prepare, play and train for youth soccer.
The tour was divided into two parts - educational and soccer.
They visited Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Pembroke College, Trafalgar Square and the National Arts Museum.
They also got to ride on the London Eye and visited the Sky Gardens.
The bulk of the visit was to get the boys to train with the various football clubs within their development structures and learn as much as they could from other coaches and players.
Reading FC, Barnet FC, Cainbridge FC and Chorleywood FC welcomed the boys into their training sessions and structures.
‘I was very impressed with our guys as they managed to hold their own against the other boys in terms of strength, skill and endurance.
The group got to watch the Premier League match between Watford and West Brom, as well as the Championship League match between Reading FC and Bolton Wanderers.
The experience was rounded off by stadium tours of Chelsea (Stamford Bridge) and Arsenal (Emirates Stadium).
Good news is that Anglo American Thermal Coal Management have agreed to sponsor another project like this in 2020.