This week the KIA Street Soccer road show featuring PHASE 1: HEALTH EDUCATION & COACHES TRAINING moved from Cape Town to the sunny shores of Durban..

The third leg of the road show took place in Cape Town on Monday. Being a public holiday the Sporting Chance team got off to an early start and when they arrived in the township community of Nyanga they were eagerly greeted by the crowd of children. The coaches were also out in full force for their training ensuring that they would all be well informed and prepared for when the KIA Street Soccer league ‘kicks off’ early next month.

The team then moved to the infamous township of Langa, where they welcomed by over 120 willing participants. The health education touched more than just the KIA Street Soccer teams as a great number of community children travelled to the sports stadium to have a look at the action. The coaches were well instructed about the rules, regulations and nature of the project and they too look forward to KIA Street Soccer getting going in a few weeks time.

On Tuesday morning the Sporting Chance team packed their bags and headed off to the very hot and humid Durban. Amazula FC, the PSL partner for the Durban region has provided unprecedented support already and having their technical experts at all of the coaching sessions is a wonderful addition to the training programme.

The forth leg of the KIA Street Soccer road show started in the Indian community of Chatsworth on Thursday afternoon. Chatsworth co-ordiantor, Yogan Moodley’s excellent organisation ensured that there was a ‘full house’ of children and coaches.

The children’s enjoyment of the health education session could be measured by the multitude of laughs that echoed around the Chatsworth community hall and the quick and eager responses they offered in the question and answer session showed what they had learnt and the knowledge they would take away with them. While the children were busy inside, the coaches were introduced to Roger Palmgren from Amazulu FC whose presence and soccer expertise was much appreciated by all.

Day two in Durban started in the community of Inanda with the health session being enjoyed by both the children and coaches. Inanda co-ordinator, Justice Mtshali ensured all the teams attended and got actively involved.

The Inanda coaches joined the Kwa Mashu coaches during the afternoon session which was hosted at the Kwa Mashu sports centre. The coaches were in for a real treat as former Bafana Bafana coach and legend of South African soccer, Clive Barker was there to put them through their paces. While the Kwa Mashu children enjoyed the health education session inside the sports centre, the group of 40 coaches from Inanda and Kwa Mashu were working hard outside in the car park – keeping in the style of ‘street soccer’! The coaches were in awe and listened to Clive’s every word as he imparted his valuable advice.

The team continued the Durban road show in the Indian community of Phoenix on Thursday and will visit Lamontville and Umlazi on Friday. Judging by the first three days of the road show in Durban, the ground work for a very successful KIA Street Soccer project has been laid – with a passionate group of coaches, well organised co-oridinators and the support of an excellent PSL partner we look forward to a wonderful Street Soccer spectacle!