daniel chigunwe
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
NORTHERN Region Soccer League Division 1 side, MWOS FC coach, Lloyd Mutasa believes that synergies between professional football clubs and schools plays a key role in the development of players.
Mutasa, whose MWOS FC has a synergy with St Eric, winners of this year’s edition of the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) Proton-Surrey Under-20 has called on clubs to create partnerships with schools as a way of developing players from the grassroots level.
“There was a lot of talent at the Nash Under-20 tournament and I believe that a creation of synergies between schools and professional football clubs will play a pivotal role in the development of players.
“We have twinning partnership with St Eric and I think our partnership with them was key in the team being crowned championship for the (Nash) Proton-Surrey Under-20 tournament
“And the more the clubs have the partnerships with the schools the better for the development of players as it plays a crucial part in the transformation of players from grassroots level into professional players,” said the former Dynamos gaffer.
Known for his love of raw talent Mutasa revealed that 10 players from St Eric are in their books with five already commanding first team jerseys in his side.
“We have ten players in our book with five having licences to play in the Division One.
“I believe that giving these youngsters an opportunity to play in professional leagues goes a long way in preparing the players for the top flight at a tender age hence we will be giving more opportunities to these youngsters,” said Mutasa
St. Eric were crowned champions of the (Nash) Proton-Surrey Under-20 for the first time after edging Mzilkazi one nil in an entertaining final played at Barbourfields grounds last weekend.
Five players from St Eric are in the books of the NRSL side.
St Eric, coach Farai Hanyani credits his charges triumph at the Nash tournament to the partnership the school has with the Northern Region Division One side.
“We owe MWOS FC everything. It was that easier due to the partnership between the school and the club, the relationship was very much important in respect of the material that the team gives the school.
“It is evident that for us as school we are benefiting a lot from the experience of a respected mentor, Lloyd Mutasa,” said Hanyani.
With the dormitory town of Norton having already produced stars in the form former national team captain Knowledge Musona, reigning Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Soccer Star of the year Walter Musona, Takesure Chinyama, Valentine Kadonzvo, Kudzai Chigwida and Dynamos vice-captain Emmanuel Jalai among others, Hanyani believes the partnership could see more future stars being produced from the twinning.
“Norton has produced many football stars, and I believe that with the partnership that we have with MWOS FC more players will be unearthed from Mashonaland West Province.
“Our deal with the MWOS FC will give many youngsters an opportunity to be seen and I believe with the talent that province has we will see another Musona being produced from the province,” said Hanyani
Online Reporter