Football: more than just a game

GRAAFF-REINET SPORT NEWS - Helmien Stuurman recently established a club for very young players in Asherville, aptly named Young Stars. Stuurman could never fully realise her dreams to play rugby and soccer and has a passion to assist youngsters to reach their full potential in sport development.

Last Sunday, 16 April, Young Stars played against Future Stars u.13 at the Graaff -Reinet Primary Sports Ground in Asherville and were beaten 5 - 2 by the u.13s.

Although organising training and matches are a constant struggle as parents are concerned about their kids' homework and the players don't always communicate as they should with their parents, Stuurman has no intention of giving up.

Many street clubs have been formed and there is a grave shortage of playing grounds for the young football players. Football is incredibly popular in townships and every kid wants to play - sometimes spending entire days playing soccer.

James Finnis, whose Children are avid soccer players, asks parents to support Stuurman's development of their kids' football skills and creativity.

More than kicking a ball

"For a child raised in a western culture, a football is just a toy, but in African, Asian, South American or other similar environments, it has much greater significance to a young player. While the ball is still an object of play, it is also an important tool that enables him or her to achieve great satisfaction and recognition by expressing skills and emotions. A football is an important part of the lives of these children," writes Ted Dumitru in his book, Maximal Training.

Dumitru writes that in cultures where players tend to express themselves through play supported by a warm climate, plenty of leisure time and rich sporting tradition, the game of football is characterised by lots of dribbling, creative techniques and short passing play combinations.

Naturally, the more ball touches and dribbling there are in the game, the more opportunities there are for players to express themselves and their creativity.

"And when these elements of the game are properly integrated into modern concepts of competitive football, the results are often very impressive indeed. We are made aware of the links between player's physical, physiological, psychological or moral capacities and their performances. As these capacities are inherited or learned through experiences influenced or determined by their environment and their cultures, it is perfectly understandable that players will reflect these in both their game and in their individual behaviour on and off the field."

Football is far more that just a beautiful game. It builds character and brings out a child's creativity.

Let's play, but only once our school homework is done!

Shady Finnis of Young Stars (right) trying to take the ball from Lanito Buis of Future Stars.