While teams in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and Bafana Bafana may lack a consistent goal scorer, there is never been a shortage of goals at the annual Wynberg St John’s junior tournament, set to kick off at the end of the month at Rosmead.
Camps Bay FC is one of a number of teams from across the city, representing six different Local Football Associations (LFAs) who are gearing up for the 26th edition of the tournament.
And, to make things more competitive, the club has decided to shake things up a bit.
Historically, it has always been an under-9 age division tourney, played on full sized soccer fields with big goal posts.
But, this year, they changed it to an under-10 format and will use smaller pitches and goal posts.
Tournament chief operations officer, Zane Ryklief, is in his fourth year of running the tournament, and said the changes made are due to the feedback received from various clubs.
Last year’s winning coach, Morgenster United’s, Mehmood Fyzoo, said his boys have looked great this season and are ready to defend their title.
The tournament is made up of 32 teams – divided into eight groups.
The first set of games kick off next week Friday September 30 at 6pm, with the final scheduled for the following Friday at 8pm.
“We decided to change the age division because the South African Football Association (SAFA) went back to playing with even numbers,” said Ryklief.
“Last year, we struggled a bit to fill the tournament because teams couldn’t commit to an under-9 division.
“Clubs can now just bring their teams playing in their respective LFA’s to the tournament, instead of trying to make up an under-9 squad.
“We’ve kept the tournament formation at 11 vs 11 but changed the field dimensions and goal post sizes according to Safa standards – made specifically for 10 year olds.
“The teams with bigger and stronger players are more dominant on the big field, but now we’ve levelled the playing field so anyone can win it.
“Teams who want to play ball can do that and teams who want to play long ball can do so,” he said.
Despite making the smaller fields, they will continue to have the three playing pitches.
The groups as drawn at the launch of this year’s tournament are as follows:
Group A: Oasis, Rockafellas, Bothasig, FC Kapstadt
Group B: Strandfontein, Leeds Lentegeur, Rygersdal, Devonshire Rovers
Group C: Spenston, Southampton, Westridge, Wynberg St Johns B
Group D: Wynberg St Johns A, Belhar Spurs, Milano, Camps Bay
Group E: Bayhill United, Origan Spurs, Morgenster, Tafelzucht
Group F: Island Rovers, Mowglies, Kenpark, Stephanians
Group G: Meadowridge, Greenwood Athletic, Holy Cross, Noordhoek
Group H: Woodlands, Elsies River, Ashford Athletic, Beacon Spurs
