{"id":50047,"date":"2023-04-25T06:00:53","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T04:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/neysharn-could-be-next-big-thing-in-soccer-but-first-a-training-camp-in-germany-beckons-20230425\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:51:29","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:51:29","slug":"neysharn-could-be-next-big-thing-in-soccer-but-first-a-training-camp-in-germany-beckons-20230425","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/neysharn-could-be-next-big-thing-in-soccer-but-first-a-training-camp-in-germany-beckons-20230425\/","title":{"rendered":"Neysharn could be next big thing in soccer, but first a training camp in Germany beckons"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An international soccer training camp could be a step in the right direction for little Neysharn Dodgen, who dreams of becoming a professional soccer player when he grows up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 11-year-old Athlone North Primary School pupil and Hellenic FC player has been selected to attend a training camp in Freiburg, Germany, in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peter Brandt, Neysharn\u2019s uncle, says he has been playing club soccer since age five, but developed a love for the game before that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The midfielder and striker started out at Avendale FC, before moving to Hellenic High Performance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dodgen is one of 26 youngsters selected to attend the training camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brandt says this was based on their abilities on field and performances at tournaments they have participated in. This is a first for the Manchester United fan, but it comes at a cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A total of R35 000 is needed to fund the trip, with the family doing all they can to help raise the funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will need to be raised before the end of August, with the first deposit required by the end of April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brandt says they have started selling food items to friends, family and neighbours to help pay for the trip, promoting the initiative on Backabuddy and social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only a few clubs are afforded this opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neysharn lost his biggest supporter in 2020, his grandmother Rachel Dodgen who watched every game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His favourite player is Brazilian-born footballer Neymar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe is small in size like me, but very skilful and I like that,\u201d says Neysharn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While he hopes to become a professional footballer when he grows up, his priority is to finish his education so that he can also have a degree one day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSoccer is a very short career and I want to have something to fall back onto like becoming an attorney studying law,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlaying at Hellenic FC and entering different tournaments has boosted his skills and raked in a few trophies and medals,\u201d say his father, Taswell Florence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy son lives soccer, every day. It\u2019s soccer, that\u2019s how much he loves this beautiful game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brandt has set up the back-a-buddy account and approached local organisations for assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI\u2019ve also reached out to various organisations and are just hopeful at least one will answer,\u201d he says.

<\/p>\n

\u201cI truly hope to get this chance so that I can come and tell my friends, teammates and school buddies.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n