Experienced coaches from America and local coaches shared soccer skills with young kids this past weekend, during a two-day skills development programme, held at Mthatha Stadium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among the coaches who trained the children were Ellison Smith, who is an experienced soccer coach from the United States, and local coaches, Ayakha Gqoboka and Louw Bhala.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The skills development programme was organised by The Cranium Media Productions\u2019 partnership with OBONTU, an organisation from the US, and it was a free programme aimed at underprivileged communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The founder of OBONTU, which stands for One By One Nations to Unite, Todd Paskett, said that their goal as OBONTU was to help people one-by-one to empower them through small business and sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have with us talented soccer and netball players, among others, from America teaching the youth those skills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said this was their first visit to Africa and that so far, \u2018it was amazing\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
About 30 children participated in this training programme, which was open to both male and female soccer players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Smith told Mthatha Express<\/em> that she was impressed by the determination and passion shown by the young stars during the two-day training session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt was great,\u201d Smith said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have some talented and passionate kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe girls also did well today against the guys,\u201d the impressed visiting coach said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith said she would love to come back to South Africa, mentioning that the players who were part of the programme were incredible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey have so much passion and I would like to progress my coaching anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith also said her dream was to coach internationally, possibly leaving the United States to coach in Germany.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Experienced coaches from America and local coaches shared soccer skills with young kids this past weekend, during a two-day skills development programme, held at Mthatha 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