South Africa 2003

Waiting for practice. Jerseys donated by the Port McNeill Soccer Club.

The Sointula Soccer Club and the NIYSA (North Island Youth Soccer Association),
helped sponsor the 2003 soccer and HIV/AIDS awareness trip to the town of Mtubatuba, in South Africa.

Our main goal was to leave soccer balls and share basic soccer knowledge, through schools, clinics, and other options. Also, establish an environment for the discussion of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

A special thank you to Port McNeill for all the uniforms and gear (yellow jerseys in pictures). Port Alice and Sointula also made significant donations, and Port Hardy initiated a raffle that was our largest funding source. All told $1000 was raised. Pumps, needles, and 95 balls were purchased, as well as some very needed coaching manuals.

We made a difference. Two start up clubs were equipped, 7 teams (two girls teams) had major equipment upgrades and the Mtubatuba All Star Team (above) was able to hold proper practices with a much larger number of balls. Finally a coaching clinic was held, since it became obvious that the desire was present.

One of our mandates was to include girls equally. After three weeks without discovering a single girls team we decided drastic action was required. We spent our last few days driving the back roads and handing young groups of girls a soccer ball. This was always followed by scream and shouts of delight, and all kinds of soccer like games. Near the end of our visit we did find two coaches of girls' teams and provided equipment upgrades.

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