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Sports Reporter
THE Heath Streak Multi-Sport Academy has partnered Zifa and the National Association of Primary Schools Heads (Naph) in creating the country’s first ever Children’s Soccer League which will cater for Under-8, 10 and 12s.
The league, which will start next year, has been formed to organise playing structures for academies, schools and clubs. It will also act as a feeder for Zifa Bulawayo Junior League.
Mkhululi Mthunzi, a member of the Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province’s junior league desk, said the football mother body had given the Heath Streak Multi-Sport Academy through Dalubuhle Bhebhe, the green light to spearhead the Bulawayo Children’s Soccer League.
“Zifa as an organisation is currently looking for partners. Partners to partner them in football development and we’re very lucky that we’ve had Bhebhe coming on board through the Heath Streak Multi-Sport Academy. What began as a dream for Bhebhe is now a reality and very soon the Children’s Soccer League will be in full swing,” Mthunzi said.
“Zifa has granted permission to him to have that league running. And one other thing that has impressed the football association are the partners he has.
“We’ve seen what the Heath Streak Multi-Sport Academy has done by engaging companies to adopt schools in cricket and give them equipment. Even in football equipment has been problematic and we hope that Bhebhe will, through this project, harness equipment on behalf of some of the needy.”
The Zifa administrator urged Bhebhe to embark on training programmes that will equip football educators with requisite skills in dealing with the “fragile age group” that will participate in the Children’s Soccer League.
Bhebhe said plans are under way to hold capacity building workshops with the first targets being primary school teachers and coaches before the start of the season.
“To prepare for the 2015 soccer season, free staff development workshops will be held for potential soccer educators, administrators and referees. Those that will be assigned to train these age-groups need to have specialised training,” Bhebhe said.
The format of the league, which will have boys and girls playing together, will see the Under-8 age-group playing five-a-side with the Under-10s competing in seven-a-side while the Under-12s will play nine versus nine.
Bhebhe said for easy implementation, each zone will have its own league where they will compete. They will then have two festivals per year where all participants will compete and scouts will be on the lookout for talent.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu