Four Lückhoff High School learners were selected to play for the U14 Western Provincial soccer team at the South African Football Association (SAFA) Interprovincial Championship. The championship was held in Bloemfontein from 3 to 6 February, according to Quinton Linders, the school’s soccer coach who travelled with the learners. Lückhoff was represented by two boys and two girls on the boys and girls Western Cape Provincial teams, respectively.
The learners from Lückoff High School who represented the Western Cape Soccer Teams. Pictured from left: Chad Diamond, Ashley Meiring, Jaydre van Rooyen and Jordan Hendricks. Photo: Jamie Venter
The four learners, Ashley Meiring, Jaydre van Rooyen, Jordan Hendricks and Chad Diamond, helped secure third place for the boys and a victory for the girls, according to Linders. He explained that the girls team performed particularly well, winning the final against the Free State team 5-2.
The U14 Western Province Girls Soccer Team won the SAFA Interprovincial Schools Soccer Tournament. Photo: Supplied/Quinton Linders
“These are very talented boys and girls. Covid held us back but we started with this U14 team competing at the SAFA Cape Winelands Schools playoffs, where five learners were selected for the final trial and four for the final team,” said Linders. “This is a major achievement for the school and the SAFA Cape Winelands Schools League.”
It was a “nerve-wracking and challenging competition”, said Hendricks, who captained the boys, but he “enjoyed it and would keep playing”.
Ashley Meiring (left) and Jaydre van Rooyen (right) formed part of the winning U14 girls team. Photo: Jamie Venter
Soccer is the biggest sport at the school, according to Virginia Boraine, Lückhoff’s sports coordinator. “We are very proud of our learners,” said Boraine. However, the school has “many more players that we can’t accommodate”, she said.
“There is more talent at the school and we will grow that talent but we need extra assistance from volunteer coaches,” said Linders.
U14 Western Province soccer team match results at the SAFA Interprovincial Soccer Tournament. Graphic: Jamie Venter