When Northcliff resident Bevan Bowers retired from the National Soccer U20 team, he felt the need to contribute to the country’s soccer development.
The former Bafana Bafana player started FC Real – a soccer club based in Allen’s Nek – which he believes will be the driving change for the state of soccer in the country.
According to Bowers, developing soccer from an early age is of paramount importance. “If you get them right at this age, nothing will ever go wrong,” he said.
Though he had been contemplating it for a few years, in June last year his dream of having a soccer club finally kicked in and FC Real was born.
Starting with five boys only, Bowers was determined to bring out the best soccer skills from his team.
“With this club, the aim is not only to develop players, but to educate them on how to sustain quality soccer action throughout their games and that is what I’ve achieved so far.”
Now a year later, he boasts close to 100 members.
“We now have have five teams – U6, U8, U10, U11 and U12. We also have a senior players team,” said an excited Bowers.
As there are stumbling blocks with any project, finding a home ground was one of the difficult parts.
“Allen Glen High School was kind and generous enough to let us use their grounds for our training which we also use for our home games.”
The club is affiliated to the Rand Central Local Football Association and, to date, they have outstanding achievements.
“We score an average of eight goals with each game that we play and win most of the time.”
Bowers attributes the teams’ good performance to their daily afternoon training on weekdays.
With all their plans and ambitions to become one of the best soccer teams in the area, they are experiencing a set-back that hampers their goal-scoring abilities.
The field they practice on is not equipped with lighting and that causes a struggle with training in winter as it gets dark early.
“The parents light up the field with their car lights,” said Bowers.
Parent and fundraising committee member Nazeem Davids say they are in need of donations to ensure that they improve the facilities offered to them by Allen Glen High School.
“We are truly humbled that [Bowers] is nurturing the talent of our children and also keeps them away from the streets,” explained Davids.
Details: FC Real Football Club coaching@fcreal.co.za, 081 269 6251.
