Our First Championship

What a weekend!  Our first tournament as the Ubuntu Football Academy/Fish Hoek squad and we took home the Plate Championship of the Strandfontein U-13 Tournament.  It really couldn't have gone much better!  

We started the weekend on Friday night at camp where we hung out, had some amazing lasagna prepared by Peter (pic below), and then watched "Goal" to get us inspired.  Even though they complained when told we would wake them at 7am, they all woke up at 6am!  They seemed to be excited about the games ahead.  After a great and healthy breakfast we headed to the fields.  

A few pregame thoughts.

Our first game was against Ajax Cape Town.  They are the most professional setup in town.  They have fancy tracksuits and outfits, and they play with discipline.  Our boys were quite intimidated by all of the externals and we started the game poorly.  They jumped on us and took an early lead which ballooned to 3-0 at halftime.  We really started playing in the 2nd half and got 2 goals, but Ajax is a good team and they quickly squelched our comeback with a 4th goal.  The game finished 4-2.  The thing I'm learning as a coach is how to convince these boys that they don't need to fear the perceived "big boys."  

We played better in our 2nd match and picked up a 3-1 victory over Ken Park which meant we finished 2nd in our group of 3 and would be placed in the Plate Knockout Tournament on Sunday.  (Ken Park went on to win the Shield Knockout for teams that finished 3rd in their group.  Ajax was upset in the semifinals of the Championship Knockout.)

We left the field and headed back to camp and then to the nearest beach.  The boys had a good time with each other there.  Coach Mike tried to challenge the boys to a belly flop contest, but he had to demonstrate first.  Not to many followed after him!

Look at that form!

 The water is freezing, but they don't care!

Back at camp we played some cricket, had another great meal, and then had a group time.  We had a really good chat about growing into the type of time that doesn't fear anyone.  Then we looked at Philippians 4:10-20 and compared it to them writing a letter to the coaches that are providing for them and then believing that they can truly do "all things through Christ who strengthens them."  The boys were pooped from the day, so it was easy to get them to sleep.  

I'm quickly learning that I hate that 12 year old goalies aren't tall enough to cover the top of the goal!  After giving up a few goals on Saturday to high, hopeful shots, we started the quarterfinal giving up a 'hail mary' goal.  We were clearly better than the other team but remained down until about 10 minutes left when we finally scored the equalizer.  With about 1 minute left we found the winner.  It was such an exciting comeback and I was proud of the boys' character.  The semifinal actually ended up being our most comfortable victory, not coincidentally it was the best game we played.  We scored some nice goals on our way to a 3-0 victory and really should have scored a 1/2 dozen more.  

So, as we prepared for the final, I expected us to come out with lots of energy, but we were quite lethargic.  About 10 minutes into the game we gave up a weak goal and couldn't find the net on our own end, though we were creating more chances.  Things improved in the 2nd half and we eventually found the tying goal.  With about 10 minutes left we scored the winner on our prettiest goal of the tournament.  It got moved from one side of the field to the other, shot off the bar, recovered and passed to an open player, and then eventually finished!  I was so excited that our last goal was our best!  After 8 weeks together as a group we are the Champions of the Plate Knockout of a very competitive tournament!

This weekend was a success on SO MANY LEVELS!  We got to spend a lot of time together and the boys did a great job mixing and bonding with each other.  We got to play the maximum number of games, 5, which really helps our development.  Almost all of our families were there for at least one game.  All 17 players that we took played at some point, and everybody made an important contribution.  And the coaches had a great time continuing to deposit truth into the lives' of these players.  I'm so excited about the character the boys showed in overcoming deficits, injuries, and fatigue.  I know we have a bright future on the field!

Celebrating their 1st Championship together.

But there is one other thing that I am even more proud of.  On Thursday we talked to the boys about making it our goal to win the "Team Fair Play" award.  We wanted to be known as a team that acts the right way, treats people and the game with respect, and honors God.  Well, during the awards ceremony Fish Hoek was given the Team Fair Play award!  It's nice to have a team that plays well together, but it's even better to know that you're also doing things the right way, and even better when others notice. 

Receiving the Team Fair Play award.

Afterwards we got so many requests from the organizing club to return to the tournament next year.  We will definitely do that!  It was a great opportunity for our boys to play in a well-organized, highly competitive tournament.  Thanks to Strandfontein Football Club for hosting a great event!  And thanks to all of you that were praying for us over the weekend!

What is going to happen next?!?!  I know I'm excited to see what God has in store.

Peter, our legendary cook, with the trophies!