Hope Cup unites over 300 youth players in Cape Town soccer tournament

• The inaugural Hope Cup brought over 300 young soccer players together from 16 Cape Town schools for a three-day tournament in Elsies River.
• St Andrews High won the championship after a tense penalty shootout against Excelsior High.
• The event aims to engage youth during school holidays, promote teamwork, and combat gangsterism in local communities.

More than 300 u-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 Goodwood to Atlantis. The tournament celebrated talent, teamwork and community pride, with schools competing for the top spot.

Craig Walters, a former youth footballer from Leonsdale, and teacher at The Range High School, says 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.

Combat gangsterism in communities

“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, emphasising how the event promoted both physical activity and strengthened community bonds.

Rowan September, Abdul Hendricks, Allen Watkins, Kevin Van Der Byl and Craig Walters aat the end of the Hope Cup tournament.

Tournament well organised

“It was a huge honour for us to take part in the tournament and to represent our school,” says Angelo De Sousa, teacher and soccer coach at President High School

He states that the tournament was extremely well organised. Everything ran smoothly and on time.

The environment felt safe and created a real buzz. A very big congratulations and well done should go to the organising team.

“Our learners had a very positive experience. We were excited to compete against neighbouring schools and showcase our talents.

“It was a really good initiative to keep to learners busy during the holidays.

“Spending three days together also really helped us build a tighter bond and relationship with each other,” De Sousa told the newspaper.

The brainchild of the Hope Cup

Walters, the brainchild of the Hope Cup, said that he played tournaments before, hence he knows how it feels to unite people and the almost magical atmosphere being around good players and coaches.

“In 2022 I wanted to start this project but coaching at Northern District school’s football kept me busy for the September holidays,” says Walters.

According to Walters there are a few things they kept in mind; the weather, quality fields, and if will people come out to support local school football.

He states that there is a saying “a child in sport is a child out of court”.

“I like teaching and sport, if we as players can just balance our academics and sport we can become good rolemodels for the community,” says Walters.

The vision for the Hope Cup

His vision for the Hope Cup is to be the biggest tournament in the Western Cape.

“I want schools from all over the Western Cape to come and participate in this event. It is about bringing people together,” says Walters.

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.

“The department believes that recreation and sport can be used as a means to an end – to provide opportunities for active lifestyles and development for youth in communities.

Initiatives like this programme can certainly make a difference and contribute to a better life for all,” says Van der Ross.