Seven Stars players honoured at event
Words of praise shared at special prizegiving
If we encourage and praise our children, to bring the best out of them, we will have a better society.
This was the advice shared by Old Mutual area manager Violet Boucher at a prestigious prizegiving and appreciation dinner in honour of local soccer favourites Seven Stars at the AFM Church Hall in Victoria Park on Saturday.
“Some of these children come from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“They have shown hard work and resilience and we need to extend a hand, make the circle bigger, have more soccer teams and get these children off the streets because sport disciplines,” added Boucher, who was one of the main sponsors of the event.
As part of creating a better future and changing communities, Old Mutual was focusing on empowering the youth, Boucher said.
“We want people, from a young age, to have a better understanding of investing in one form or the other.
“We also want the youth to be involved, we want to keep the youth out of taverns because they belong on the sports grounds,” she said.
“If our children do good, we need to recognise and give them praise so they can do even better.
“Praise has a positive impact and praise can bring the best out of the child.”
The team made headlines after reaching promotion to the ABC Motsepe League.
Siyabonga Mbuzwana was named the most disciplined player, while the most promising player accolade went to Morne Smith, with Sinethemba Zenzile winning the most improved player award and Shaydon Rowland winning both the player of the year and top goal scorer awards.
Chris Hani District Municipality deputy mayor Noncedo September-Caba, who also graced the event, praised the club and its supporters, saying the team, which was full of young players, was a blessing in the district.
Chair of the club Jan Draghoender and secretary Chad Naidoo expressed their gratitude towards the sponsors and others who continued to show their support.