The Northern Areas Football Association (NAFA) Easter Tournament that took place at the weekend at the Gelvandale Stadium, attracted a record crowd during its recent opening ceremony.
Not only is the tournament celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, but it is also the first time since its inception that almost 10 000 people came together for this event.
Several soccer clubs over various age groups participated in the tournament that proved to be a highlight on residents’ social calendars.
Described as arguably the biggest, longest running and one of the most successful amateur soccer club tournaments in the country, it started small in 1973 when one of its affiliated clubs, Blackpool AFC, under the leadership of Valentine Brink and Ernest Moodaley, introduced the first inter-club tournament held at the Adcock Stadium.
As the tournament director and PRO of NAFA, Brink explained that Blackpool was invited to play at the D’Alberton Callies Tournament in Durban 1971 and 1972. After seeing how this tournament was run, Blackpool decided to do the same in Nelson Mandela Bay based on the same format.
“It started with 16 teams, eight national teams and eight local teams and was played on a knock-out basis, which immediately proved very popular. Some of the national teams that played in the tournament were Kaizer Chiefs, Kokstad Swallows and Boksburg United, among others,” Brink explained.
“Over time, the tournament evolved from being purely football to a family entertainment weekend with the opening night providing musical entertainment and reaching a climax with a fireworks display. The fireworks display still remains a highlight of the Easter weekend festivities.”
About the weekend’s tournament, Brink said that the crowd was exceptional, the entertainment was good and the soccer was brilliant.
“There were no problems and we are very happy,” he said.
Vice-president of NAFA, Joseph Williams, said that the tournament means so much to the players and they lovingly call it the “Northern Areas World Cup.”
He explained that when the COVID-19 regulations were removed, they started seeing more people come to the tournament last year but still didn’t expect such a massive turnout this year.
“It was shocking and I think it’s because of COVID. When football came back, people had something to look forward to again and they really wanted to be here,” he said.
NAFA media and marketing officer, Allistair Stallenberg, said that a lot of people in the northern areas are not able to go to the Splash Festival and this is one of the reasons why this tournament means so much to them.
“A lot of people cannot go from Korsten to Summerstrand and this gives the community something for the Easter weekend. It is a family event where the parents and grandparents can come and watch their grandkids play soccer,” he said.
Stallenberg also thanked the sponsors that came on board to help make the tournament a success: Caltex, MTN, KFC, Coca-Cola, Fain and the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
“Everything came together so well and we are really grateful for that.”
