From the streets to the soccer field
ZANDSPRUIT – Football Without Borders kicks off their improved soccer programme for the year.
Football Without Borders started their improved soccer training programme with a new coach at the helm.
Elia K Dzwowa recently joined the organisation when the founder of Football Without Borders, Michael Mapfunde, approached him with the programme, as Dzwowa is a qualified soccer coach and school teacher.
Dzwowa grew up in Zimbabwe in a similar township as Zandspruit and played soccer in the streets with a ball made of plastic.
From primary through to tertiary, Dzwowa played soccer and once he finished his teaching degree, he trained school teams, even taking a taking a team to the finals of the Zimbabwe provincial junior championships.
In 2008, Dzwowa relocated to South Africa and became involved in training adult soccer teams but left that scene as he did not like the coaches approach or the betting on games.
He went on to work with the Soweto league team but eventually decided he would rather have his own team.
Once he meet Mapfunde, he knew they would be able to work together to make a difference.
“Since he was a teacher he knows how to work with the children and he has a very innovative way of doing things,” said Mapfunde.
Dzwowa explained he currently has about 20 children but three new children join everyday. He has received support from the parents of the children and only enthusiasm from the children, who always want to know when their first match will be.
As there is such a large group, Dzwowa has started to train the older children to teach and continue drills with the younger children.
The major issue is not enough equipment as Dzwowa would want enough soccer balls for each child to have a ball so they can have enough time handling the ball.
Besides, teaching the children the rules of soccer and nurturing natural talent, Mapfunde looks to use this programme to teach life skills.
The programme is aimed at children between the age of eight and 12 as he feels life lessons are easier to impart at this age.
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