A football star in the making

In the realm of school sports, some moments shimmer with promise and potential. For 11-year-old Mason Brown, a learner at Florida Primary School, one such moment has arrived.

Selected to represent the West Rand Schools in the esteemed Bill Stewart Tournament, which is set to take place in Limpopo from June 22 to 26, Mason stands as the rising soccer star who has a bright future for his school, a testament to his hard work and dedication on the field.

Coming from a loving and supportive family with four siblings, including sister Mikayla who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Mason’s household is a testament to strength in adversity. With his mother, Justine Brown, dedicated to caring for Mikayla and his father as the sole breadwinner, financial constraints could have easily stifled Mason’s dreams, yet, that did not stop him from achieving his dreams.

“Like any parent who supports their children’s dreams, we are extremely proud of Mason, and hopefully he knows that his family loves and supports him fully throughout his journey.

“He trains five days a week and mostly trains with boys older than himself. This tournament is a great opportunity, as it will be his first time participating. We hope to raise enough funds so Mason can just play football, which is his passion. We are currently hosting a youth football festival this weekend at Hillfox,” Justine said.

His love for football started at the early age of five when he was coached and trained by Jason King, who recently became the head of First Kicks Development at Fives Futbol at the Hillfox Power Center and remained consistent with fuelling Mason’s love and passion.

His journey took an international turn in March when he embarked on a soccer tour to Manchester. Playing against esteemed teams like the Burnley Junior Academy Team, Mason soaked up the experience, refining his skills on a global stage. Securing a spot in the TS Galaxy U13 Gauteng Development League (GDL) team, he cemented his status as a rising star in the football world.

“Mason being selected for the Westrand District School Team is a significant step in his development process. He is only turning 12 in October, making him the youngest player on the U13 team.

“His knack for scoring goals with either his right or left foot is such an advantage for him. His speed of play is exceptional, and often opponents cannot keep up with his intensity. His decision-making is also of high quality, but there is always room for improvement in this.

“As his coach for six years now, watching him grow and progress in this beautiful journey, the Bill Stewart Tournament presents a development process for him. We wish Mason and the district team all the best during the tournament. I hope he enjoys the experience and competes to the best of his ability,” Jason said.