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.

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.

Also HIV/Aids awareness and methods of prevention where discussed. Much discussion was dedicated towards how to implement future counseling around the issue of HIV/Aids prevention. To date 250 booklets have been donated towards HIV/AIDS awareness on our next trip to Africa.

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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