The View of Hope Soccer Club in Riverview was established on 19 August 1972 to give hope to many sporting talents in an area characterised by tremendous poverty.
There were only two designs of homes at the time – “witblokke” and the smarty-coloured Riverview homes. Alcohol abuse and drug addiction were an integral part of everyday life in a place where many young people who longed for a better life became role-models for others.
Young people in Riverview made a difference, and View of Hope is proof of that.
Young boys from approximately 13 to 17 years of age wanted to do something to address the depressing circumstances created by poverty. They had family support, because they came from homes where, at the time, family unity was strong. The youngsters decided to establish a soccer club that would give young people of school-going age and older hope. It was to be one aimed at earning the respect of all in Worcester, and would go on to contribute much to change the negative perception of soccer in Worcester in the ’70s.
14 William Street, Riverview, is where the cornerstone of View of Hope was laid.
There were a few soccer clubs, and we grew up watching them play over weekends. Although the clubs that already existed had players with good skills and the talent we admired, we wanted more – to build a club based on the values of discipline and respect on and off the field. The founder members of View of Hope were young boys from Riverview. The late Chris Phillips was the first chairperson. Number 14 William Street was the clubhouse, then and today. The late Mrs Francis de Bruyn was the “godmother” of the club, and also its greatest fan – week after week. Her daughter Rose has taken over her role and still welcomes the club members with a warm heart today.
Purpose and values of the club
The club constitution was also written for members to do more than only administer a soccer club. It also emphasises the support and upliftment of the community. The club constitution is very specific and clear about members’ duty when it states:. To cultivate sportsmanship, responsibility, a sense of duty, unity, love and togetherness for one another through football.. To provide voluntary community service to residents to create a better-quality life.
The outfit: Green and Gold
The final decision on the colours, green and gold, was after a long process of consultation. We were all South African soccer lovers and the national colours definitely played a role in the final decision.
The design of the club badge was also a process of many drawings and input from members. The late Gerald Buys and Gerry Mentoor played a pivotal role in the final design.
Top achievements over the years
In the late ’70s, through the ’80s, soccer blossomed in Worcester. The four soccer fields at Esselen Park Stadium were not enough to play all the matches on a Saturday. Many of the games had to be played on Sundays, which included the main rugby field at the stadium.
The club won major league trophies, year after year.
One of the highlights was when they played the Bob Save Competition, one that included the professional clubs and top amateur clubs. It included Bafana-Bafana greats such as the goalie André Arendse and Bafana striker Mark Williams. They were included in the Bafana Bafana team that won the Africa Cup of Nations Soccer Championship in 1996.
View of Hope as the league winners was the first club to represent Worcester and District Union in the Western Cape Virginia League, and it played against many quality clubs in Cape Town and in Stellenbosch.
It also played in the Safa Cape Winelands League against teams in Stellenbosch and Paarl from 2008 to 2011. View of Hope won the Breede Valley Promotional League in 2022 and must play knock-out games against clubs in Stellenbosch, Paarl and other towns to qualify for the Men’s Regional League (MRL Valley).
Women have a strong hand in View of Hope
Women’s playing has featured prominently in View of Hope ever since its establishment 50 years ago.
We have a women’s team and women have been involved in the club from its early beginnings. They play a leading role and are members of the committee responsible for the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
View of Hope is proud of its structures, which include a youth soccer team, women’s teams and committees, and a club group that honours legends who formed the cornerstone of a successful club.
