BORDEAUX – Success in the Rand Central Local Football Association league and cup last season have proved a platform for Old Parks Soccer Club to raise the bar yet again.
The club’s senior women’s side finished third in the league’s top division, while the U13 boys reached the final of their cup.
This has prompted the club to aim high this year and thanks to an increase in membership numbers, launch a senior men’s team for the first time in several years.
“This past season we had more members and we hope we can push it up to 250 this year,” said the club’s director of coaching, Gary Roodt. “We also want to develop players and get them as good as they can be, from U6 level right up to the top.”
He said that to do this, his coaches focus on improving the ball skills of their players from four years old up to around 10. “It is very important to be patient with the youngsters and get their technical skills up before their physical attributes.”
After the age of 10, the coaches preach tactical awareness more than anything else.
Roodt revealed that the club hopes to send their U13 side overseas in September, to play against teams in the Netherlands and Belgium.
He said this will require some financial support, but compared to other soccer clubs in Joburg, Old Parks is relatively cheap in its membership fees. “We are always growing in our facilities too. We have a great gym, restaurant and fields. We are getting to a stage where any amateur sports club can aspire to.”
The soccer high-performance programme called Tec4Tekkers, run by the internationally renowned Gwynne Berry, is another drawcard according to Roodt, and should only improve the performances of the club’s soccer players.
The club will hold soccer registration from 9am until 1pm on 3 February. Roodt said anyone interested in soccer is welcome to come find out more then.
Details: oldparks@mweb.co.za; 011 789 3274.
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