More than 300 under-17 soccer players gathered for the inaugural Hope Cup at the Salberau Sports Field in Elsies River.
This exciting event, which ran from Heritage Day to Friday, 27 September, brought together 16 schools from across Cape Town, from Bishop Lavis to Atlantis.
The tournament celebrated talent, teamwork, and community pride, with schools competing for the top spot.The brainchild of Craig Walters, a former youth footballer from Leonsdale, and teacher at The Range High School means the Hope Cup aims to engage young learners during school holidays while offering exposure to scouts from tertiary institutions.
Walters teamed up with local Ward Councillor Christopher Jordaan to secure support from the City’s Recreation and Parks Department.“The Hope Cup is an annual event, designed to keep youth off the streets and combat gangsterism in our communities,” said Jordaan.
The tournament saw St. Andrews High School from Elsies River clinch the title in a thrilling final, winning 4-3 on penalties against Excelsior High School after a goalless draw. Masibambisani High School took home the Plate Section, triumphing over President High School on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
“The Hope Cup is more than just a tournament. It showcases the power of community coming together to uplift our youth,” said Jordaan.
Councillor Patricia Van der Ross adds to this sentiment, emphasizing how the event promoted both physical activity and strengthened community bonds.Striking players included Sanco Olkers from Valhalla High as Player of the Tournament, Duante Jones from St. Andrews as Goalkeeper of the Tournament, and Zendine Koopman and Damon Klein as joint top scorers with five goals each.
