WOW!! 17th May 2024!! What an awesome finals day at the North End Stadium, East London.
The standard of football was very high and great to watch. Thanks to the principal of St John’s Road Primary School for allowing the entire school to attend the early morning matches. At one point, the crowd even grew to 1400! It was a significant gesture in providing that spirit and support for our event.
In the end, the final match in the TRA / BIS primary schools soccer tournament was a close and keenly fought contest with Aspiranza Primary School edging out St John’s Road by 2-1 and scoring a late winner.
Earlier, in the semifinals, Aspiranza had accounted for Nontuthuzelo Primary School, while St John’s Road had prevailed over Buffalo Flats Primary School in a nail biting penalty shootout. These two losing teams had one more chance for redemption when they played for the bronze medal, with Nontothuzelo Primary taking it.
Throughout the day, the remaining 8 teams that did not make the semifinals, played for tournament positions and those matches were also played with fierce competitiveness.
All of the matches were streamed live via the Supersport Schools mobile app, and we acknowledge their contribution in making the event accessible to so many that were unable to attend.
Trophies were awarded as follows:
- Tournament Winners and inaugural holders of the TRA / BIS CUP: Aspiranza Primary School
- Goalkeeper of the tournament: Luthango Tyeni
- The Golden Boot for the leading goal scorer of the tournament: Garren Meintjies
- The overall Player of the Tournament and winner of the biggest prize – which is the chance to attend a training camp at Napoli FC, the famous Italian soccer club: Aluve Ntwana. (This package worth R100k was graciously donated by Munya Maraire, CEO of World Wide Scholarships and decided upon by Fabrizio Picaretta.)
In addition, a training squad of 30 players were chosen for further development and a chance to potentially play in a special event on Youth Day – 16th June.
We also take this time to thank BIS, the tournament LOC, the Stella Jessie Esbend (LFA) and Saints FC, the local municipality and all those who assisted on the day. It would have been impossible without everyone’s input, including our dependable and reliable TRA suppliers NBA Printers, Blacksourcing and Lovethegame. Sponsors included MobiMed, Aquelle and Fazels Gourmet Foods.
The biggest thanks must be reserved for ALL of the players, coaches, schools, parents and last but not least, the local East London community for supporting this tournament the way they did.
All we can say is: Bring on 2025!!
