Tigers u-9 trainer Gotti Liesering and his champion squad.
The Sunward Park Football Club juniors enjoyed a successful campaign with their u-8s and u-9s crowned champions of Easterns football.
The u-8s, who featured in the third division, won 17 of their total 22 outings to finish with 55 points.
The u-9 squad won their fifth division with a total haul of 49 points from 21 outings – just three points superior to runners-up Waterstone College.
The Tigers’ u-8 coach Vusi Metane, who’s been at the helm for a little over two years, said: “It was a well-deserved win for the boys after putting in all the effort.
“The last few matches were nerve-wracking as we were neck-and-neck with the top three teams. Without the support of the parents and being involved in the boys’ extra training, we would not have won the league.
Tigers u-8 tactician Vusi Metane (right) and his assistant Tshepo Leburu (left) celebrate with the rest of the team.
“I really enjoyed every moment with the boys and we appreciate all the support. Next year will be a bigger challenge as we will be moving up to division two.”
Metane’s side pipped Springs Old Boys to the title, who finished with 53 points.
Quizzed on his side’s promotion to the fourth division, u-9 mentor Gotti Liesering commented: “At the beginning of the year we did not have enough boys to register a team.
“Fortunately, at the 11th hour, we managed to have a full squad with some boys kicking a ball for the first time, let alone competing every week in a league structure.
“So winning the league is an achievement far and beyond any expectations and brings with it the encouragement to continue.”
Woodlands and Kempton Park completed the top three in the u-8 and u-9 log respectively.
