{"id":58291,"date":"2014-04-22T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2014-04-22T07:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/58291\/tight-budget-for-germiston-highlanders\/"},"modified":"2014-04-22T10:01:32","modified_gmt":"2014-04-22T08:01:32","slug":"tight-budget-for-germiston-highlanders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2014\/04\/22\/tight-budget-for-germiston-highlanders\/","title":{"rendered":"Tight budget for Germiston Highlanders"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Germiston Highlanders FC is calling out to the community and potential sponsors.<\/p>\n

With 33 members and counting, the age group of the players ranges between 16 and 34.<\/p>

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The club is currently managed and coached by Mafa Dlamini, with the administrative assistance of Max Okafor.<\/p>\n

Dlamini has been coaching the club for two years now, but it has been in existence since 2009.<\/p>

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“This club was not registered when I first met these boys,” said Dlamini.<\/p>\n

“From what I gather, nobody really owns it, it was just a few boys who used to meet up and play the game amongst themselves.<\/p>\n

“As their number increased, they came up with a name and played a few friendly games.”<\/p>\n

Dlamini explained that, under his guidance, they managed to register the club and are currently playing in the Ekurhuleni Super League.<\/p>\n

However, the club is facing a few constraints at the moment and would appreciate any form of assistance.<\/p>\n

The players currently train on an open field along Power Street, in Delville.<\/p>\n

“This place is not ideal, nor is it comfortable for us to use for training, because it is not level, there is a river on one side, and the other three sides are exposed to the street,” said Dlamini.<\/p>\n

The coach also explained that, due to their surroundings, the players’ development is limited.<\/p>\n

“Players can’t practise high or long distance shots, as we are afraid that the ball might go onto the streets and cause accidents; that is one of the challenges we are faced with during training,” said Dlamini.<\/p>\n

The club has approached a number of facilities, like schools, but their attempts were unsuccessful, because of the the amount of money required, and the fact that they don’t have any form of sponsorship.<\/p>\n

“We are not going to give up, though; we have discussed sponsorship and ways to raise funds and Max is busy working on us being granted access to practise at the Germiston Stadium,” said Dlamini.<\/p>\n

They have made efforts to acquire other necessities, like a first aid kit.<\/p>\n

Dlamini also told the GCN that, above all else, they would love to find a better training field, where they will effectively improve their skills.<\/p>\n

He also mentioned that the goalkeepers are struggling, because they don’t have goal posts with which to familiarise themselves.<\/p>\n

The other disadvantage is that the field on which they train has no lights, so their practise times are affected when seasons change.<\/p>\n

Although the club has two different sets of kit, they usually save these for games, and they are hoping to get two more sets to use especially during training.<\/p>\n

Two old soccer balls are used during training, with some of the players having shin guards and others playing without.<\/p>\n

“We also need more equipment, as some our players train in uncomfortable shoes, because they are saving their proper soccer boots for games,” explained Dlamini.<\/p>\n

Money to participate in tournaments and travelling costs come out of their own pockets.<\/p>\n

However, all those challenges are not enough to bring down the morale of the players, who are fully committed to the game.<\/p>\n

“That is what I love about these boys, they are not discouraged by the struggles, all they want to do is play the game, they truly are determined,” said Dlamini.<\/p>\n

The high spirit of the players keeps encouraging more and more players to come and join the club.<\/p>\n

“I am approached by new people, on a daily basis, who come to me asking to join the club,” Dlamini said.<\/p>\n

“It fills my heart with joy, as I love football and enjoy watching them showcase their skills on the field.<\/p>\n

“More people are welcome to come and join the club, and it also for this reason that we would be thrilled to finally have a proper venue on which to practise.”<\/p>\n

The club practises from Tuesday to Friday, from 5pm to 6.30pm.<\/p>\n

For more information contact Dlamini on 073 880 1097.<\/p>\n