Rotary hosts football tournament for Mercyship
The children received gifts in recognition of their sportsmanship.
Rotary Club of Benoni van Ryn, with Mercyship Foundation, recently organised a football tournament for the Mercyship Football Club children.
“Grace Mabelane, the founder of Mercyship and one of the organisers of the event, approached our club for some medals or trophies to hand out to some children in her care programme who had excelled at sport,” explained Derick Watson, of Rotary van Ryn and one of the organisers of the event.
“Our club supports Grace in her many initiatives that lend the community up-lift-mint and care. Derick then approached some potential sponsors, who were exceedingly generous.
“The expenses the club incurred came out of funds raised at our monthly Bunny Park Food and Craft Market stall, but the majority of it was sponsored,” said Watson.
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The following was sponsored:
• Capelli Sport, Michael Lee sponsored both teams with apparel (shirts, shorts, socks), water bottles, kit bags, caps and balls.
• Build It Pomona, Michael Cotes sponsored medals, trophies, referee kit, linesmen flags and gear
• Lloyd Warwick, Renier Kruger sponsored all the players of Mercyship Football Club with soccer boots (25)
• Rotary Club of Benoni van Ryn sponsored certificates, medals and trophy branding, hire of Willowmoore Soccer Field, Rotary dictionaries/atlases with motivational bookmarks for both teams, hosting support and equipment and biscuits.
• Snippets Hampers, Bradley Venske sponsored cold drink mix
• Kruger Family sponsored oranges and support with the proceedings
The two teams that took part and played off against each other were the Mercyship Football Club, mentored by coach John, and the opposing team were members of Leechville Football Club, both of which were u-11.
They were supported and cheered on by the Mercyship Dance Group, who also entertained the spectators.
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“We would like to thank Rotary for making our dreams come true by sponsoring our soccer team with new beautiful jerseys, soccer boots, balls, bottles and dictionaries. Mercyship Football Club didn’t mind that they lost the game. The most important thing to them was all the new items they received and the fun they had.
“Just imagine even the opposing team got new jersey’s from Rotary. It was so amazing,” said Grace.
The Mercyship Foundation, based in Wattville, is an NPO that tends to many orphaned children.
“We identified over 40 children between the ages of three and 16. Most of them are orphans and some are child-headed families because of HIV and Aids, Covid-19 and gender-based violence.
“We render the following services, counselling, Life coach, sports, food, gardening, homework assistance and daily nutritional support,” said Grace.
Leechville FC won the game 2-0 and were presented with gold medals and a floating trophy.
“Both Derick and I feel the day was super successful. The children received gifts in recognition of their sportsmanship and motivation to continue striving for excellence.
“This was not exclusive to the children, but the coaches received encouragement to continue with their mentorship. A return match is being arranged for early next year,” said past president of Rotary van Ryn Charmaine Cole-Niven.
“To our sponsors, the enthusiasm and generosity all of you showed for our project knows no bounds,” concluded Derick.
