He’s a soccer superstar in the making and has landed the opportunity of a lifetime, travelling to Sweden to play for an academy team before some of Europe’s top scouts. But first he has to raise the required funds to embark on the journey, which is scheduled for January next year.
Nikyle Hoskins (16), a Grade 10 learner at Hottentots-Holland High School, said it has always been his dream to play in Europe, and it is a chance to get noticed and possibly sign-up with a giant club. “I’m overwhelmed with excitement, can’t believe this is really happening,” he said in a DistrictMail & Helderberg Gazette interview.
His journey on the football pitch has taken him through the ranks of De Beers Football Club as well as Young Bafana, but it is at the All Star Foundation that he truly propelled his performance to heights those all around him can only praise.
“The All Star Foundation, which has a good relationship with the BT Football Recruitment Agency based in Cape Town, invited us to select players to attend trials in Milnerton towards the end of May,” foundation founder Selwyn Manuel related.
He added Nikyle was a clear favourite and an easy pick.
“He is incredibly talented, and we knew from the start there was something special about him.
“It’s also a great privilege to be the source of his development, in assisting with as much exposure as possible. This is what the All Star Foundation is about.”
The trials resulted in the formation of an academy team, scheduled to play against other academy teams in Europe, the beady eye of talent scouts ever-watchful.
“It’s an opportunity I want to take full advantage of and hopefully leave a lasting impression,” said Nikyle.
“The best-case scenario will be to sign-up with a major team. I also want to be a source of inspiration to the youth of greater Helderberg.
“If I make it my first priority will be to give back to the community and make my parents proud.”
Nicolene Hoskins, Nikyle’s mum, beams with pride. “It will mean the world to him to make this trip.
“We’ve had some food sales and we raised about R2 000 so far, still a long way to go to reach the target of R45 000, which will cover the trip, excluding personal expenses.”
Anyone wishing to contribute to this lifetime opportunity for Nikyle can contact Manuel on 083 735 6601 or Hoskins on 084 207 4098.
