Annual schools contest starts at Gelvan fields today

THE second annual Northern Areas Schools Soccer Association Total U19 tournament starts at the Gelvan fields in Port Elizabeth today.

Twelve teams have been divided into four groups to play a round robin over three days, with the group winners meeting in the semifinals under lights at the Gelvandale Stadium on Thursday.

The finals are at the same venue on Friday evening.

In addition to trophies and medals, there are special prizes for the player of the tournament and top goal scorer.

“We are grateful to Norman le Grange from the local Total garage for his assistance because this is not just another tournament,” organising committee member Geronimo Piedt said at the launch of the tournament.

“We are using this tournament to teach the boys discipline, both on and off the field, and to be ambassadors of their respective schools.

Piedt said anyone who misbehaved would be banished, also from future events.

“We have been encouraged by the success of last year’s tournament and, if all goes well, we plan to invite more schools next year and have more divisions, he said.

“A girls’ tournament is also in our long-term plans.”

In a thrilling final last year, Sanctor beat Bethelsdorp 3-1.

In this year’s draw the two schools have been kept apart and a repeat of last year’s final could be on the cards.

Both teams will be in action tomorrow afternoon with Sanctor playing newcomers Woolhope on Gelvan 1.

Bethlesdorp play St Thomas in the late game on Gelvan 2. The groups are: Group A: Paterson, Hillside, Westville; Group B: Gelvandale, Chatty, Cowan; Group C: Bethelsdorp, Arcadia, St Thomas; Group D: Woolhope, Chapman, Sanctor.

The fixtures are: Today: Gelvan 1: 2.30pm – Paterson v Hillside, 3.30pm – Bethelsdorp v Arcadia; Gelvan 2: 2.30pm – Gelvandale v Chatty, 3.30pm – Woolhope v Chapman. Tomorrow: Gelvan 1: 2.30pm – Woolhope v Sanctor, 3.30pm – Gelvandale v Cowan; Gelvan 2: 2.30pm – Westville v Hillside, 3.30pm – Bethelsdorp v St. Thomas. Wednesday: Gelvan 1: 2.30pm – Arcadia v St. Thomas, 3.30pm – Paterson v Westville. Gelvan 2: 2.30pm – Chapman v Sanctor, 3.30pm – Chatty v Cowan. Thursday: Gevandale Stadium: 5.45pm – Winner Group A v Winner Group D, 7pm – Winner Group B v Winner Group C. Friday: Gelvandale Stadium: 5pm – loser semifinals 1 v loser semifinal 2, 6pm – Primary school invitation match, 7pm – the final.