Barker shares soccer skills with Bluff youth

IT was an opportunity of a lifetime for 25 boys and girls to be coached by a legendary soccer coach and former resident of Yellowwood Park, Clive Barker from 25 to 27 June at a soccer clinic hosted at Bayview Sports Club.

Barker has an astounding career that stretches over 50 years of playing professional football with Durban City and Durban United and coaching the South African national side in 1994, leading them to their first and only African Nations Cup title in 1996. He is now an author and is set to release his autobiography titled coach in a few weeks time.

Even at the age of 74 and conquering a year of sickness, Barker always found time for the younger generation who show great potential and passion for the game. “The quality of players coming out of this week of training as been amazing. I have seen at least three children that have star quality. Bayview FC is one of the clubs that did churn out great players such as Shaun Dundee who went on to be an international player. So there is great opportunity for these children to go just as far,” said Barker.

With passion and love, he watched the girls and boys play against each other, “Look at that, they have been watching the World Cup,” he laughed. “The same moves they watch the stars do, they are mimicking – it just shows how badly they want to do so well. It is a great enthusiam for the sport, they have a great intensity -there are definitely noteworthy players on that field,” he said as he pointed to a few children.

Although the event came with a fee, five lucky children were sponsored by a generous company, DMR steels who paid for their fee. “It’s so great that the company did this and hopefully in the future, more companies will step up and sponsor more children. This is an opportunity for them and to hopefully unlock a passion in them,” said organiser of the event Ashnie Adams.

Friend and coach Regan Stuart who also coaches 12 children with Barker in Durban said this type of activity is needed in this community. “It is a must for these children, why must the parents drive all the way into Durban to take their children for quality coaching when it is available here. Let us remove our children from technology and bring them back to activities, help them grow up more healthily through active sports and interacting with other children. Parents and businesses support your local football clubs like Bayview and let these clubs show you that they can groom legends who will grow up to be a great generation of players and people,” said Stuart.
READ: Barker to host Bayview FC holiday soccer clinic
The soccer clinic ended on Wednesday with an award ceremony where very child received a medal and certificate for their hard work and effort.