Online Reporter
Online Reporter
WHILE most of the attention has been on Premiership side MWOS, a lot is happening at grassroots level in the township of Norton, some 40km outside the capital.
MWOS finished second in their debut Premier Soccer League season but that is not the only reason to smile for the people of Norton.
At grassroots level, the township now boasts of a fast rising football academy that keeps producing talent.
Bright Stars Academy dominated at a tournament held at Kyle College in Masvingo last Saturday.
The Norton based academy won gold in the Under 8, Under 12 and Under 17 categories.
The academy’s impressive performance won the praise of ZIFA Masvingo province chairman Naboth Magwizi, who watched the games.
Magwizi said the tournament was hin tandem with ZIFA’s grassroots football development drive.
Bright Stars Academy director and coach Cephas Bobo thanked parents for supporting their children’s talents.
“A lot is happening behind the scenes at the academy.
“God is showing his strength,” said Bobo.
The academy recently performed well at a tournament held at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare.
They are now preparing for the famed Gothia Cup, a football development tournament held annually in Sweden.
Bright Stars are set to tour the European country in July.
“We are thrilled with the performance of our youngsters,” said Bobo.
“We don’t focus too much on results, especially at this level, but it’s always a bonus when we win.”
The tournament at Belgravia Sports Club featured various age groups, from toddlers up to seniors.
Bright Stars’ Toddlers and Under-10 teams won gold, while the senior team finished second.
The tournament drew talent from different academies including BN Academy, Big Stuff, Borrowdale Academy and Belgravia Academy.
Bright Stars have produced a number of notable players.
Some passed through the football nursery before joining other academies.
Some of the players who passed through Bright Stars Academy include new CAPS United defender Kudzai Chigwida, Blessing Sahondo and Eric Manokore.
Dynamos skipper Emmanuel Jalai also played for the academy during his formative years.
Jalai was raised in Norton.
Munashe Ncube, who played for Zimbabwe’s Under 17 team at the COSAFA boys’ tournament hosted by Zimbabwe in September, is another product of Bright Stars Academy.
Talented female players Marian Gent and Tadiwa Tunduwe also played for the national Under 17 and 15 respectively.
“We want to keep shining,” Bobo said.
“The target is to keep producing more talent from Norton and sorrounding areas.
“I say well done to our players, coaches and supporters.
“We have one eye on the Gothia Cup in Sweden which will be our maiden tour to that part of Europe,” added Bobo.
Peter Tanyanyiwa