Bryanston’s high-performance development centre for soccer, Transition Football, was put to the test in four thrilling matches.
The centre, which is based at Bryneven Primary School, travelled to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to play against the UJ Soccer Academy in U13, U14, U15 and U17 friendly matches during a Club Day.
The U14s and U15s won 4–1 and 4–3 respectively, the U13s drew 3–3 and the U17s lost 7–6. But beyond the good results, Transition Football’s coaches were very impressed with the all-round performances of their players.
“They were our first matches of the year and we have only been training for two weeks,” said the director of football at the centre, Claudio Lorenzani.
“We played with our style which is much like Manchester City’s. We keep possession.”
Lorenzani said the centre had only been around for a year but already the U13s and U15s won their Rand Central Football Association leagues last year, while the U13s also won their cup.
“It was the best start we could have had but now we have to match it or do better.” The club caters for teams from U6 to U17 level and opens, and Lorenzani aims for all sides to finish in the top five places in their leagues, and for at least one team to win their league.
The centre also saw three players promoted to semi-professional soccer and two to professional soccer (in England and Wales). Lorenzani hopes to see even more players promoted this year.
“The Club Day was also good preparation for when we send our U13s, U14s and U15s to Germany for a match and training clinic with Freiburg FC in March. We want the youngsters to have training with high-level coaches and get great exposure at a young age.”
Details: Transition Football theteam@transitionfootball.co.za; 084 836 1091.
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Passing, positioning and possession are key at Bryanston’s Transition Football