NIKE
ANNOUNCES TOP 4 YOUNGSTERS TO TRAIN WITH LEADING PSL CLUBS
Nike’s
Elite Training programme 2011 concluded this afternoon with the announcement of
Piere Kok from Matatiele, Brandon Parusnath from Durban and Fortune Makaringe
and Moses Lunga Maponyane, who are both from Johannesburg, to attend training
sessions with Premier Soccer League clubs Bidvest Wits, Kaizer Chiefs and
Mamelodi Sundowns during the course of 2012.
It started
with thousands of young hopefuls attending regional trials in Cape
Town , Durban and Johannesburg
Those
numbers were whittled down to 56 aspiring footballers and that has now
culminated in just four talented individuals who will have an opportunity to
fulfil a dream - a chance to impress leading Premier Soccer League clubs in the
hope of earning a fulltime professional contract.
After a
physically intensive first day on Wednesday, the youngsters were put through
their paces again this morning in a series of challenging 7 v 7 games. This was
a chance to prove that they had the ability to stand out and make a case for
themselves. Eric Tinkler and Shaun Bartlett as well as the rest of the coaching
complement gathered minds and expertise to ensure that the best four footballers
were given this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Nike’s
Elite Training programme is testimony of their commitment to youth development,
with the successful announcement of the top four boys.
This
programme clearly demonstrates how effective it is as it serves to unearth
talent and fast track players,” says Shaun Bartlett, Nike core coach and former
Bafana Bafana international striker.
Nike have
also ensured that every footballer who partook in the Elite Training programme
would receive additional material to assist them on their journey.
This
includes training manuals, fitness and nutrition manuals, a DVD of the
technical and tactical drills that they competed in during the programme and
their individual test results that incorporated new innovative equipment,
namely Sparq Training.
“There is
no question that the players have excelled over the course of Elite Training.
Nike made a commitment at the beginning of the programme that each and every
one of these players would improve. They have improved their technical ability,
their tactical acumen and they have certainly improved their fitness levels.
Nike have given these boys the tools to become better football players and the
experience will stand them in good stead for the challenges that will lie
ahead”, Bartlett concluded.
