Debut Day

Day #10

This morning we headed straight back to Dunoon. 

Bit more about Dunoon... Dunoon is one of the poorest of the townships. It's what you call a squatters camp, meaning people staying there do not have to pay any sort of rent and they manage to get free electricity as well by stealing it from the grid. Therefore the only thing you need to think about financially is food. This is the reason then why all the people who live hear tend to have moved from Eastern Cape to this small township to not have to worry about rent and can get on their feet, sort themselves out, then they move on. 

We were back at the children's day care centre and today with the plan to play football with the kids. The problem is that this township has very little field areas or places to play football so we had to walk to the local park area. 

Trying to walk all these kids through a busy and dangerous township certainly kept you in your toes but was great fun. The kids are all really friendly and good to talk to. 

The two boys at the front are the two older kids who helped out a lot leading the you get children, they were best friends aged 7&9. Both of them were really good boys! 

So we set off...

Our journey turned into a conga through the streets but it worked out okay and we made it to the park. First job was to sort out teams and as we forgot bibs colour clothing it was which was tricky when kids kept taking off layers revealing new colours beneath. 

Soon teams were organised and captains selected. Next job was the kids to choose a country for their team name. The teams; we had France, USA, Holland, Italy and Bafana Bafana (the South African National squad). 

Let the games begin!

It was crazy! Kids running everywhere! Some of the children watching ran and joined in turning some games into a free for all kicking contest. 

The kids loved playing football (or soccer as it's called here)! They had soooo much energy and just wanted to run around! After lots of interesting little games between the countries.... France came out victorious! 

We had prizes for the winning team and special prizes for the team captain and player of the week which happened to be those two boys from the earlier picture.

 

The kids absolutely loved their prizes, the smiles on there faces naturally made me smile :) The two boys also loved their prizes...

Next it time was for food for the kids before a sleep later that afternoon at which point me and Chris left. 

 

Debut day. In the evening it was going to be my debut game for CCC, Capricorn Community Church and I was well up for the challenge and experience of playing for this new team. 

CCC are a team mainly made up of lads from the local township, the team was set up as a project by the church and it reaches out to the community through this shared passion of football. The lads are encouraged to get involved with youth groups at the church and they seem to enjoy it. The team plays in the Cape Town Church league. CCC are currently top of the league with three games to go. Tonight's game was against 2nd who were only 3 points behind so it was an important match. 

The group of lads were really friendly. Most of them are in their early twenties. So for the chance to have some defensive bonding the back four were in my car plus one extra as we drove the long journey to the game. 

It was cold, wet and windy (as football should played in). The first time these boys had played a match in the rain! Floodlights switched on and the game was set. 

It was a competitive physical game as our opponents where a lot bigger and stronger than most of our players. Did have some trouble as most of the team spoke in Afrikaans so trying to communicate was tricky but it was okay.  After conceding an early goal due to an unfortunate mistake from the keeper we soon turned on the pressure and it was 2-1. Final score 3-1. Some of the players were top class, especially in midfield areas and the striker was in a league of his own (25 goals in 13 matches this season and for half the season he played centre back)!! 

Really enjoyed myself and the lads all voted me man of the match so was made up. Missed playing 11-a-side and enjoyed my first game of the season. 

Eventually, after driving the lads back, got home close to 10.30 covered in mud, bit of blood, cold, wet and hungry. 

Really enjoyed my time with the team, got a new and completely different experience! Come on CCC!!!! 

God bless.