New format for McDonald’s Schools League
JOBURG – Festivals are the in-thing in soccer now as seen in the new format for the McDonald's SA U14 Schools League.
A new and exciting format of play for the McDonald’s U14 Schools League was launched at the seventh edition of the competition at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto.
McDonald’s SA, in partnership with the South African Schools Football Association (Sasfa), signed another three-year deal which will see the global food franchising brand continuing the legacy of the South Africa 2010 Fifa World Cup in which it pledged to make its own contributions to football development in schools.
Themed as Developing Dreams, the tournament aims to ensure that South Africa’s football talent is developed and nurtured where it matters most – at grassroots level – and will commence play in May and culminate with the provincial finals.
Previously, the provincial finals took place over a nine-week period but this year the competition will take place in a new format of soccer festivals where two provinces join forces to host the festival finals.
The first soccer festival will take place in KwaZulu-Natal on 10 July where the host province will be joined by the Free State while the second one takes place in Mpumalanga where the host province will be joined by neighbour, Limpopo, on 13 August.
The third festival will take place in the North West on 20 August together with Gauteng. The last festival will feature three Cape provinces – the Western Cape will host on 10 September and will be joined by the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape.
“We are proud to still be fulfilling our legacy and long-term commitment to developing football at grassroots level,” said Sechaba Motsieloa, corporate affairs director for McDonald’s South Africa.
“We are excited about the new league format, which will not only reach children in schools but furthermore provide the opportunity for the parents and communities to be part of the festivities while supporting their children.
“The soccer festivals will also allow children to showcase their football talent among their peers from different provinces.”
The nine provincial winners will proceed to the McDonald’s U14 Schools League national finals to be held in Gauteng from 29 September to 1 October.
Details: Boitumelo Mkhondo 011 236 2399; boitumelo.mkhondo@gmail.com
