LFA says: 'No card, no play'

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Chairperson of the Dr Beyers Naude Local Football Association, Hans Plaatjies, told Graaff-Reinet Advertiser that he is positive that football will be developed in the area.

The association held a meeting on 18 January at Nomzamo Pre-School and one of the issues on the table was the players' cards at LFA level for seniors.

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Plaatjies said this year the rule, 'no card no play', will be strictly enforced.

He said clubs should register their players in time and pay their registration fees to be affiliated. Players who want to move to a different club must get their clearance letters from their respective clubs before they can move on.

Fairless Pietersen from Aberdeen was elected as league coordinator of the LFA fixtures. He appealed to members to help him build the LFA as it is a struggle to form sub-structures to assist in running the football association in the area. He is also concerned about the state of local soccer facilities. Soccer is the most played sport, but there are no proper grounds for the youth. He appealed for assistance from government and the private sector to help improve or upgrade the facilities.

XI Attackers coach Theo Appolis shares a joke with Gatto of Birds United while their teams play.

The gates at Masizakhe Stadium are falling apart and games are played in dust. There is no space or barrier between the pitch and spectators and this is a recipe for potential disaster. The stadium once boasted a beautiful pitch but today their is not a blade of grass in sight.

The LFA fixtures will start on 5 February.