NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS - Nieu-Bethesda was abuzz with football players in colourful sports gear for the football weekend of 24 to 27 April, which was organised by Denley Swartz of Youth Explosion.
“A lovely weekend of football was played, and I can just say well done to every team!” exclaimed Swartz after the last game was played.
“Our teams were so motivated, and each team deserved the best, but we can only have one winner.”
In the first game of the league on Sunday 26 April, Rovers FC beat United Kings 4-0. In the second game, Man United (1) was beaten by the Young Lions Football Club (8), and in the third game the Eleven Arrows could not get one goal against Young Stars, that beat them 7 - 0.
The Youth Explosion’s league table awarded Young Stars 9, Young Lions 7, Eleven Arrows 6 and Rovers Football Club 5.
Neither United Kings or Man United could raise any points, but both sides promised to come back to the next tournament with more determination and even more drive.
According to coaches and players alike, the ‘moment of the tournament’ was when Number 4 of Eleven Arrows and Number 8 of Young Stars both went for the ball, but tackled each other and lost the ball.
“Number 8 of the Young Stars stumbled over his own feet, while still fighting for the ball, but Number 4 of the Eleven Arrows assisted him to get back to his feet, and they shook hands, showing us what real sportsmanship is,” said Swartz.
The man of the match for Sunday’s final game was the wide-awake Donovan ‘Strykyster’ Makwena of the Young Stars.
“What a brilliant all-round player! He just knew how to get his team involved, and he did not miss a single tackle or defence attack. He made a big difference to his team!”
Swartz makes it his mission to keep youths occupied to distract them from being drawn into addiction, a space he knows all too well.
“During my recovery I managed to get work under Social Development as a Teenagers Against Drug Abuse (Tada) co-ordinator where I support victims and act as caretaker and motivational speaker, and I started Youth Explosion.”
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