Toti football club kicks off 2019 league season

Toti United Junior Football Club has had an encouraging start to the 2019 league season, with some teams finishing in the top half of their groups. The club said this is due to the dedication of its players and support from parents, volunteering team moms and coaches.

The club boasts a membership of 166 players, ranging from the age of five to 19. It is made up of a majority of boys and a growing number of roses among the thorns. The club has 12 teams and is affiliated to the Durban Central Local Football Association, which consists of 273 teams in the junior league.

“Our development age groups, U7 to U9, have shown some great prospects for growth, with the young players starting to gain confidence in the first few matches,” said chairman, Zenzo Ncube.  The U7B team lost their debut game 12-0, but bounced back with a 7-1 win. The U8s have won one game, drawn one and lost two. The U9A team has played six games, with two wins and four losses. The U9B team, who unfortunately play against stronger A teams, has
won one of their five matches.

“Even though the youngsters started with some losses, the team spirit has been growing and players are dedicated to the sport and starting to make friends among their teammates. Learning the basics of football is the most important objective for this age group. Parents, team moms and coaches also play an instrumental role in building sportsmanship at this tender age,” said Zenzo.

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The club’s young competitive groups have had a mixed start to the season, The U10 group, which has a majority of new players, has shown tremendous growth. They have won three and lost two of their five matches and are currently fourth on the log.

“They have had sterling performances at five-a-side tournaments and were runners-up in Westville. The support from their parents, team mom and coach has been a driving force, encouraging the players to keep growing,” said Zenzo.
The U11s started off without a coach and Zenzo stepped in to coach them before handing over to their official coach. “Although they have won only one of their six matches, the fitness, team spirit and enthusiasm of the boys has improved every week. Even though they are the smallest group in numbers, they have some of the biggest hearts for the game.”

The U12s have won three and lost two of their five matches, and they are currently third on the log after Escombe and Juventus, and it is hoped the second half of the season will bring more success. The U13s have had a rough start, with only one win from five matches played.

The U15s, however, have a beautiful story to tell. Last year was not a good season at all for them. The new year did not start well either, as they were initially assigned into the U17 league. “That must have been a blessing in disguise, because as soon as they returned to their appropriate age group they collected maximum points from all four games played to date, with convincing scores. They are currently leading their log and are contenders for a cup in the knock-out challenges. The players have become self-motivated and have a group of supportive parents, team moms and coach who have been with them through the tough and the good times.”

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The U17s got off to a good start, collecting maximum points in their first game. They lost momentum in the second game after some of their teammates played in a mini tournament at Arbour Crossing before their club league game later in the morning. They came back with tired legs and fell apart, giving the opposition a free ride to maximum points. However, the boys bounced back after a team-building exercise, won one and drew one in a tough assignment against Westville. They have a game in hand and can move up on the log if they use it wisely.

The U19s have played three games, won one, drawn one and lost one. “This is one of our toughest groups, because most of our players are in matric and have to juggle sports with academics.

Toti United is not just a football club, but a place where parents develop friendships and good networks, working together to groom our young stars, and a place where our boys and girls make friends, develop social skills and get time to enjoy being children, while playing the beautiful game,” said Zenzo. To join the club, call Zenzo on 084-093-9115.

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