For decades it’s been a dream of coach Mario van Neikerk that one day a soccer team of players from the townships would be represented in the top league of South Africa. It’s still a long way off. But who would have suspected that the community of Heideveld would have ever come together in the manner in which they have since mid 2017. The dream won’t go away.
Mario has always believed that soccer is a lifeline for communities that are hijacked by violence and crime. And if change is ever to come about, soccer is as likely as any other social activity to make this happen. The team that he dreams of wouldn’t just play top tier football, it would operate with a depth of humility and servanthood that you just don’t see in the modern game, anywhere in the world. The team sets the standards of fair play on the pitch and are encouraged to be beacons of virtue in their township lives.
“One of our biggest problems historically” explains Mario “was that the most talented players from Heideveld were syphoned off to clubs in the city. Quite understandably. However, we didn’t simply lose our best players, we lost the lads that the younger guys looked up to. Many of them were excellent role models.”
Semi-professional is a rather grand term, the players are likely to benefit by being given boots, kit and accessories. But expectations of the Goal50 United squad are high, with each player asked to support charitable activities in the township. it’s more than pitch performance pitch that scores. Some choose to coach the younger boys in the soccer academy, others are involved in tutoring and supporting many after-school classes and clubs. Others are involved with the charity’s food programme - now distributing nearly 125,000 meals each year.
Head coach Cody Damons joined Mario’s soccer academy more than a decade ago. He’s come through the ranks and is a natural leader.
“I’m delighted” says Cody “at how the team has done on and off the pitch. Playing standards have improved dramatically since we moved into the fourth tier. It’s really up’d our game. The lads have shown a maturity of attitude on the pitch - of course we have work to do - but our record of very few yellow cards is something that I am very proud of. Players and coaches from other clubs have quickly recognised the unique approach of Goal50 United and many supporters have been won over.”
Cody has seen the impact of Goal50 first-hand. He loves his soccer, but he loves the community work and longs for the Cape Flats to become a safer place.
So Mario continues to dream. He seldom looks back to his crazy days on the street. His modest attempts at providing a soccer school to keep boys on the ‘straight and narrow’ in the year 2000 were just the start. Nearly twenty years on, who would question that one day his charges will take Goal50 United to the dizzy heights of South Africa’s Premier Soccer League. And in the process would we see Heideveld ‘unite’.
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