Stuart's blog

AFA Icelandic Fundraising Hike

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:01:06 +0200

Iceland Fundraising Hike, 24th August to 10th September

The AFA, in its endeavor to create fundraising and marketing opportunities for potential sponsors, are able to confirm the commitment of three key members whom have contributed to the success of the AFA to date. They are Stuart Miller, Academy Director, Dr. Jason Suter, Medical Officer, and Simon Osborne, Legal Advisor.

At the end of August of 2008 the three members have committed themselves to a 330km hike across the interior of Iceland from Akureyri in the North to Skogar, 330km to the South, at the beginning of the Icelandic Winter. The proposed route is indicated in blue.

Details of this trip will be posted soon along with sponsoring opportunities for individuals and company's. A webpage dedicated to the trip will be placed on the AFA website under the sponsors link and on the frontpage.

Role of Honor
Our most sincere gratitude goes out to the following individuals, sports organisations and foundations who have kindly donated to the continued success of Amathole Sport and the fulfilling of its mandate and development objectives.

Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation, South Africa
Dr. Richard Kyte, South Africa
United Soccer Academy, Pennsylvania, USA
Brandywine Youth Club, USA

Corporate Donations (received / committed)
The following corporates have donated generously, in their various capacities, to the cause of Amathole Sports, indicating their intentions as collaborators to the greater social development of a cohesive 'Rainbow Nation'.

Click on the company name to direct your attentions to their websites.

We would like to graciously thank the Rolf-Stephan Nussbaum Foundation for their very kind donation, which will go a long way to realising the objectives of the Academy and the community it services.

New Balance, Angle Orange, Obsidian Systems, Mr Price Sports, Cape Storm, Diadora
Bowman Gilfillan attorneys (South Africa) for their continued legal support

Fundraising Objectives

If you would like your donation to be used for a specific activity from the list below, please advise us of your contribution and its directed intention, by forwarding an email to our administrator at amathole@fastmail.fm so that we can acknowledge and monitor your donation.

1. Use the donation as you think best
2. Support for vulnerable players and family (feeding, clothing, transport etc)
3. Educational support and development programmes
4. Youth development
5. Educational bursary programmes
6. Vulnerable family job creation (sewing, washing, cooking, maintenance etc)
7. Community sports centre construction and equipment (capital expenses)
8. Technical development programmes
9. Sport development programmes (medical and administration)
10. Operating costs (stipends, salaries, maintenance etc)

SA Football Development

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:37:55 +0200

News: July 03, 2008, 17:45
Source Unknown

Bafana's performance not up to standard: Jordaan

South Africa's ailing soccer team is paying the price of poor development structures. 2010 Local Organising Committee CEO, Danny Jordaan, admitted for the first time that Bafana Bafana still had some ground to cover to be considered world class. He was addressing a gathering to mark the three-year sponsorship renewal of SAFA Soweto.

South Africa is struggling to qualify for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Next year, the team's soccer prowess will be informed by their performances against the might of Spain, Brazil and Italy in the Confederations Cup.

Spain has won the EURO 2008 and also competed in the under-17 and under-20 world cups. Their soccer development sharply contrasts South Africa's soccer evolution. Jordaan believes South Africa must return to the basics to acquire a world class team.

Jordaan says: “It can only happen at grassroots football when structures like SAFA Soweto have the infrastructure, funding and facilities to create under-17, under-20 world champions … then we will have Bafana Bafana world champions. It’s a long way to go."

AFA / Lenasia Football Association Collaboration

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:12:34 +0200

News: 22nd June '08

The AFA are pleased to announce a developing collaboration with the Lenasia Football Association. The collaboration includes many aspects associated with the development of football in Johannesburg and South Africa.

These include secondary and tertiary education development; technical excellence for age structures between u15 and u20; youth development between u9 and u15; programmes for women's football and mass participation; and programmes for disabled athletes.

More information on these programmes and events will be posted shortly.

The Greater Good, South Africa

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:55:37 +0200

News: 19th June '08

The AFA management have engaged with the GreaterGood SA to ensure a secure donation portal for its contributing commercial and private organisations. This can be done online through the link attached below:

We ask once you have accessed our secure online donation portal and made your donation, that you please advise us of your contribution by forwarding an email to our administrator at amathole@fastmail.fm so that we can acknowledge and monitor your donation.

We look forward to a prosperous working relationship with the GreaterGood SA and welcome any further collaborations with like minded organisations and professional club structures.

Brandywine Youth Club Donation

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:29:03 +0200

News: 30th May '08

Amathole management recently received a kind donation from the Brandywine Youth Club soccer players and parents. The players shirts and shorts will make a welcome addition to our equipment bank that we utilise for various occasions, league fixtures, training sessions and as alternative and emergency kit for teams in need.

We hope to be using them in the coming week for an important training game that will also serve as trials for local Lenasia u17 and u19 boys. Watch this space for more details of this event and some photos of the players in their new shirts. A most sincere welcome and warm thank-you to the players, management and parents of Brandywine Youth Club.

You can learn about their activities at www.brandywineyouthclub.com

CoachesColleague.com Collaboration

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:23:26 +0200

News: 11th April '08

The AFA management are proud to announce a developing working relationship with the developers of the 'Coaches Colleague' concept.

It is a dynamic, interactive internet based resource site that has as it's core function, the advancement of training and resources to a diverse range of coaching personnel across the globe. The site covers broad areas of interest and more specific areas related to technical and welfare issues that promote interactive discussion. Key areas include Sessions, Fitness, Nutrition, Injuries, Refereeing, Child Protection, relevant Articles related to the everyday practice of sport development and management and Additional Information such as Scouting.

Matthew Tallon, the Managing Director, has added his comments below:

Designed by Coach Educators for Coaches!
CoachesColleague is a comprehensive coaching website that provides ideas, advice and information on every aspect of the coaching process. Its aim is to assist football (soccer) coaches in the modern era develop their own knowledge and understanding in order to to provide their players with a correct and thorough education.

The ever expanding site currently contains over 1600 pages, across 10 unique sections, so regardless of experience, level of involvement or the qualifications gained every coach will find this site a valuable addition to their coaching resources.

Peruse the site for a tour at http://www.coachescolleague.com/tour/tour_home.html

Wits Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine's FIFA Inauguration

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:39:58 +0200

News: 25th March '08

The AFA is proud to announce the Official FIFA Inauguration of one of Amathole's collaborating partners and industry institutions.

The University of the Witwatersrand's Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (CESSM) was officially Inaugurated as the first 'FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in Africa' at a special event on Monday the 31st March 2008 at the Wits University Education Campus (old Johannesburg College of Education) St Andrew’s Road, Parktown.

As part of the day's activities CESSM sponsored transport costs for the Amathole players to attend a special training session between 10am and 12pm demonstrating the XLR8 equipment.

More information on the developing relationship between Amathole and CESSM will be posted as events and programmes bear fruition.

SAFA Soweto and Amathole Development Task Team

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:45:09 +0200

News: 19th March '08

Amathole's continuing relationship with SAFA Soweto which is guided by the mandate of our developing MoU finds expression in the initiation of a Development task-team. The inaugural meeting, to be held the week after the Easter break, will outline the scope, objectives and outputs for the team.

A white paper for development that is regionally specific and nationally relevant will be considered as the first objective of the task-team. Outputs will be posted on the website under the development tab.

SAFA Soweto Premier League

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 21:29:07 +0200

News: 4th March

SAFA Soweto are taking great strides towards providing high quality competition in Soweto, an area of meaningful and accessible development that has been neglected by the national body.

News: 22nd April '08

The AFA management are happy to announce the inclusion of the u17's and u20's into the newly established Premier League towards furthering the development of its senior players.

More information will be made available soon. Please visit the 'Team Results' tab to see the latest log, fixtures and results.

Angle Orange Sponsorship

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 20:11:20 +0200

News: 4th March

The AFA are excited to announce the continuing relationship with Angle Orange, a long time supporter of Amathole. For the 2008 season Angle Orange have been invited to sponsor part of the 'u17 Super-League' to be played around Johannesburg and include such teams as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Wits University, Platinum Stars, Supersport United, Moroka Swallows, Jomo Cosmos and the School of Excellence amongst other Soweto clubs and Academies.

Angle Orange have committed themselves to providing economic opportunities to South Africa's developing small business community programmes. This has resulted in a unique partnership with the sponsorship provided for Amathole and the Pat-Poulza community project. The sponsored clothing will be manufactured through the community programme providing valuable economic development towards attaining economic diversity and viability for the Pat-Poulza programme.

We are happy to have them on board and look forward to continuing a productive relationship. Our many thanks for their contributions and commitment.

2007 Discovery Tournament Results

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 22:02:00 +0200

News: 29th December '07

A complete account of the 2007 Discovery tournament will be uploaded onto the team results webpage shortly. We can announce already that the MPAFA u17 and Mr Price Ipswich FC held themselves in high esteem during the duration of the tournament by both reaching the quarter-finals against each other. The fulltime score was 1 - 1, but the MPAFA players succumbed finally on penalties losing 8 - 9. Mr Price Ipswich made it through to the finals which ended 1 - 1 at full-time and after extra-time. They ended up runners up after losing 5 - 3 on penalties.

Well done to all players again for showing consistency throughout the tournament. 2008 is now the year for striving towards attaining our goals of excellence and achievement.

USA Continued Donations

Sat, 11 Aug 2007 23:43:37 +0200

News: 8th August '07
Amathole were again visited by kind donations from our friends of the United Soccer Academy in Pennsylvania, USA. With this donation of balls a larger membership of Amathole will now have access to soccer balls more often.

Members of the Amathole Football Academy for the 2007 season posing with some of the donated balls from the United Soccer Academy in Pennsylvania, USA

As we acquire more and more resources from kind donations and sponsorship, it is the intention of Amathole to distribute these resources more widely so as to provide greater opportunities to South Africa's playing community. The availability of resources is seen as being of paramount importance if South Africa are to be more regularly competitors at international level. We would like to thank the United Soccer Academy for sharing in our vision and enabling us to achieve our objectives through our developing relations.

SAFA Development Endorsement

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 08:05:45 +0200

The AFA have been consulting with SAFA Development over the past few months about strategies for both the local and national game of football in South Africa and development in particular. We have subsequently presented them with our objectives and development programme and are happy to announce that SAFA Development have given the AFA their full support and endorsement. We hope to develop a close working relationship in the future to guide and implement nationally relevant objectives and projects.

News and Events

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 11:05:50 +0200

The AFA will update the times, dates and venues of upcoming skills development workshops on this page. The workshops are for interested coaches from all sporting disciplines and other interested individuals, resident in the greater Soweto region of Johannesburg.

u15 Tournament Report - November 2005

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 11:01:59 +0200

Bongi Lamula, a local businessman, congratulating players from the u15 tournament held in November of 2005

The u15 tournament was held at the Jabavu Sports Complex on the 19th November 2005. Eight teams from the White City area were invited to take part in the two day tournament. The Amathole Football Academy took the opportunity to assess the talent being exhibited within their current team structures and in preparation for future trials. To this end, the coach has provided a report outlining general player strengths and weaknesses.

The Following is an unbiased assessment and objective evaluation of player abilities for the Amathole Football Academy. It will be made available through a consultative process to interested clubs and mangers/coaches of the region.

Technically the teams, for the most part, were not well balanced, whilst some teams did show an understanding of the objectives of training and the game situation. Some teams showed an ability to retain ball possession and held territorial advantage for the majority of the games duration. Players showed some good ball control, at times, but aspects of passing and heading, need to be worked on. This is important, particularly with regards to showing some vision in the end result.

Problems seem to arise with aerial ball control, especially amongst the strikers. Physical aspects, as expected, proved to be problematic for some players. Players need to work on overcoming these physical differences. Unforced errors also played a large part in highlighting the lack of variation in attack. This lack of depth was also found in defence, with no systematic retreat evident and some players retreating too soon. Dribbling proved to be utilised ineffectively without consideration for appropriate passing.

The Academy sees opportunity to work on mobility, balance, control, rhythm and concentration. There are elements of tactical skill in ball control and attack in a one-on-one situation. Further, the academy sees opportunity to develop an understanding of block tactics with regards to:

a. Playing as a unit
b. Moving quickly up-field
c. Teamwork
d. Systematic retreat in defence

The academy will endeavour to teach the basic principles of the game till they become second-nature to players, these will include: Penetration, covering, width, balance, control, rhythm and concentration. We will encourage and motivate players to show initiative with regards to:

a. Attack from different positions on the field
b. Mobility in attack
c. Speed and Pressure
d. Attackers retreating to help in defence

Finally, the Academy with its accelerated program, experienced coaches and constantly evolving training programs will provide the necessary development of soccer within the Jabavu, White City region and surrounds.