KIMBERLEY’S JADEN INVITED TO NATIONAL FOOTBALL ACADEMY
DANIE VAN DER LITH
ONE GETS the feeling that more and more young soccer talents are emerging from Kimberley as the city establishes itself as a hub for the sport. Just last week, the DFA reported on Kimberley-born soccer star, 15-year-old Emile Witbooi who has officially been signed by Cape Town City FC.
Now, another standout player, 16-year-old Jaden Bardenhorst from Dalton Brothers Football Club in Vergenoeg, has kept the trend going by earning his time in the spotlight by being selected to join the prestigious SAFA National Academy in Johannesburg.
Jaden’s journey to success began on the artificial pitches of the FNB Football First programme, a grassroots initiative that has been shaping dreams since 2011. This initiative has become a training ground for over 29,000 young football enthusiasts each year, hailing from 39 schools located in Thohoyandou, George, Mthatha, Pietermaritzburg and, of course, Kimberley.
The FNB Football First programme, comprising 660 coaching clinics running for 44 weeks, played a pivotal role in Jaden’s development. Head coach Kagisho Mathile, assistant coach Wendy Augus, and assistant coach Sydney Norman extended their gratitude to goalkeeping coach Tshepo Mazabane for honing Jaden’s skills.
Homevale Primary School and Dalton team coach Pappi Mohapi also received a special mention for recognising Jaden’s talent. Head coach Kagisho Mathile recalled Jaden’s initial days in the programme, mentioning his lack of certain skills. However, through the FNB Football First initiative, Jaden gained the necessary knowledge and experience, paving the way for his current success.
The young player’s rise took a significant turn during a national tournament held last year during the September school holidays. It was there that he caught the eye of scouts and earned the title of goalkeeper of the national event.
Acknowledging the role of the Sol Plaatje Local Football Association, the coaches credited their league programmes for being instrumental in discovering Jaden’s talents.
Meanwhile, looking ahead to 2024, the FNB Football First programme is set to identify new talent across Kimberley, fostering the growth of promising players.
For Jaden, the journey continues as he heads to Johannesburg to join the Academy. Excited about the opportunity, he expressed his eagerness to showcase and elevate his skills to elevate his game.
“I feel great about going to the national academy; there I will be able to showcase my skills but also learn new skills so that I can improve my game as much as possible,” said Jaden, who dreams of one day playing for the South African national team and, postschool, aspires to study to become a teacher.
As Kimberley continues to make its mark in the soccer world, programmes like FNB Football First are undoubtedly paving the way for future stars. Who knows, we might soon witness Jaden guarding the net for Bafana Bafana, fulfilling his dreams and inspiring aspiring soccer talents in the city.