Kaden Waldbaun will join the district team to play in Portugal

Kaden Waldbaun of Crusaders Football Club is part of an elite U11 boys soccer team chosen from the district to play in a major tournament in Portugal.

Kaden may play for Crusaders in Lyme Park during club matches, but he represents Rand Central Local Football Association at district level. His team is gearing up for the Iber Cup in Estoril from 1 to 6 July.

Jabu Gumede-Baxter has coached the side for about a year. “It is a very good team,” he said. “The players are each talented but they play well as a team. There is no ‘I’ present in this team.”

The coach said the team is looking for sponsorship, as travel, food and accommodation will not be cheap. The cost will come to about R35 000 per player. “I would encourage any individuals or corporates to help sponsor us, corporates would benefit from the tax deductions and we have all the paperwork for that.”

The team is guaranteed of playing three pool matches and at least one knock-out game afterwards, whether in the cup or plate section of the tournament.

Gumede-Baxter encouraged anyone interested in sponsoring the team to contact him, Melissa Wade, or the association.

Details: Rand Central Local Football Association 087 150 4719; Jabu Gumede-Baxter 082 535 4680; Melissa Wade 073 341 3064.