A local soccer player and coach has proved that hard work pays off in time.
Byron Daniels, the current coach for the Edenvale U/17 soccer team and player for the senior second side, told the NEWS how he became a coach.
“Most of my coaching experience comes from playing soccer. I started playing in primary school and then continued in high school,” said Byron.
He said during high school he was invited to play for Maritzburg United’s U/17 and U/19 teams, from 2004 until 2006.
“When I played for Maritzburg, I was fortunate enough to coach the local U/9 team called Barcelona, which was run by a relative of mine.
“Shortly afterwards I left Maritzburg to play for Highlands Park in 2007 for a year,” he said.
Byron then moved to Durban in 2010 and started playing for the Super League Mariann Hearts.
He said his coaching journey in Edenvale started when his friend, Merick Baran, was the coach of the Edenvale U/17 team.
“I use to coach now and then when he didn’t have time. Eventually he could not coach anymore and asked me to take over as the coach,” he said.
Being a coach is not about the money for Byron. It is about providing the players with adequate skills.
“As a young player like most guys, I wanted to become a pro-player but it didn’t happen. That’s why I try my best to help my team reach its dreams,” he said.
He said being a coach requires the team and the coach to trust one another.
“As a coach you have to make the team believe in you and believe that they have one purpose. Being a soccer player is not easy, you have to fight for a spot on the team. Players are not nominated to be on the squad. If you don’t train you don’t play. We are passionate about the game because it takes so much effort to make the team and stay on it,” said Byron.
He said he is happy to be the coach of the U/17’s for Edenvale FC because they are hard workers.
His team’s players are title holders and are known for their winning streaks.
“We work together, stay together and fight together, not against each other. We may have ups and downs but in the end we want to be successful soccer players and winners,” said coach Byron.
