Soccer is known as the beautiful game and it is that trait that attracted Justine George. In just one year, her love and passion for the game has seen her selected to attend the Donosti Cup in Spain in July, with the Rand Central Local Football Association (RCLFA).
Her journey started last year when her school, Hoërskool Roodepoort, introduced a girl’s soccer team which she joined. The team competed with other schools in a winter tournament and won first place.
“I find the techniques in soccer beautiful – it’s a team sport and we’re put through our paces in training. I love that and it’s also keeping me fit. As a striker I have to be fit, because I run up and down the field,” she said.
This 15-year-old lass also joined the Florida Albion Football Club to polish her game and the coach immediately saw her potential and placed her as striker. The team came second in the season, with Justine scoring 6 of their goals.
However, 2016 was a big year for the Grade 8 pupil as she received her Rand Central District colours in September. on top of that, she also helped the team reach the semi-finals of a SAFA tournament held at the University of Johannesburg. Justine was then awarded as the Most Dedicated Player at the Florida Albion prize-giving earlier this month.
The young striker dreams of one day representing Banyana Banyana. She trains Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays to reach her goal. Her first step towards this goal will be to participate in the Donosti Cup in Spain next year. However, her parents George and Amanda are pleading with the community to assist them in realising their daughter’s dream.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for our daughter and one that we could never afford her.
Through all her hard work and dedication to her schoolwork and her soccer, she is so deserving of this opportunity. We need to raise R35 000 in order to make this trip a reality, and we are appealing to private organisations and individuals for financial assistance. Any donation, big or small, will be appreciated,” said Amanda.
Justine will be representing the RCLFA U/16 District team. The Association’s Area Development Programme comprises talent carefully selected from players across 12 different football clubs. RCLFA is one of the 11 Local Football Associations that make up the SAFA JHB Region, which in turn is one of the 52 official regions of the South African Football Association.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
