Briardene host soccer tournament

AN overcast and gloomy day greeted players from seven different teams as they converged on the Havelock Sports Grounds in Greenwork Park recently.

Hosted by the Briardene Youth Centre (BYC), the summer soccer tournament saw teams from all around Durban, including KwaMashu, Effingham, Inanda and Mt Moriah compete.

Coach of the Briardene Youth Centre (BYC) team, Thulani Maieane, said the day was about having fun and playing ‘The Beautiful Game’. The BYC is an NPO that uses sport as a social development tool.

“There’s very little opportunity for the boys from Briardene to interact with other players their age, so the idea of the tournament was to bring everyone together using soccer as the hook. I think it helps each of the boys to grow mentally and to look at the different styles of soccer.

“We also, thought as the school holidays approach and the end of year winds down, to help contribute meaningfully towards the kids’ development.

“We know that by engaging in activities like this it assists the community to deal with all the ills of society including crime and drugs. It’s exciting for the boys. Judging by today’s success we’d love to do it again and hopefully invite more teams,” Maieane said.

The team was also given a new kit on the day, thanks to ward councillor Shaun Ryley.

“We didn’t want to show them until the first game. They were thrilled to play in their new kit. We hope to join a league soon and this donation will go a long way in securing that dream,” he said.