NFC Community

bridge between communities - true ubuntu spirit
Have you seen the wild prehistoric expanses of the Cape Point Nature reserve? Then you might agree with visitors and residents alike that the Southern Peninsula is rich in beauty and cultural diversity. With informal settlements neighbouring large, luxurious holiday houses, the division between rich and poor, however, is poignant and obvious. A handful of parents who don't take their privilege for granted have started a soccer club open to all at Noordhoek Sports Fields. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Noordhoek FC now boasts the most integrated soccer club of the Southern Peninsula. We do. Joey Delcarme, the club's Chairman, calls the initiators "a bunch of soccer-mad, over-the-hill, old cronies who were fed up with what was happening in the Fish Hoek valley." Started in 29 October 2009 on a council field, the club has grown to 300 members, many of whom arrive barefoot and walk home. The age span is "six-year-olds to 60-year-olds" according to soccer coach and film director, Jurgen Alan. The local council supports the project, and The Cape District Football Association welcomed the club with open arms. They host a growing group of children and young adults from Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Noordhoek, Sun Valley, Fish Hoek, Capri, Glen Cairn, Kalkbay and as far as Steenberg. Their first home game was on Saturday 8 May 2010 prompted some wonder. "I have never seen so many people pitch up to support and watch football" Says Joey. Learning the ropes, building the hopes
Besides healthy entertainment and exercise, one of the more remarkable benefits of the initiative is the social and personal spin-off for the participants. Coach Alan comments that "children’s confidence grows through the team." He smiles and pauses. "Of course, it's also great for developing motor skills, but no 11-year-old can run backwards. We develop their understanding of the constant trickery of strategic playing, but you do not need to be brilliant to play soccer and be part of a team. Soccer is a sport for the rest of your life." Another thing we will have for the rest of our lives is the challenge of rebalancing the cultural constraints of South Africa's largely patriarchal social systems. Noordhoek FC contributes positively and proactively to this by taking special care to cater to mums and children coming to watch. Members are actively taught to respect women and greet all parents they see. Refreshingly, race is not an issue in the mix of high and low (or no) income brackets. "We’ve had one fight between players, and it wasn’t a colour issue; it was a culture issue – Xhosa and Zulu. We suspended them and explained firmly that they would have to apologise to each other and to the club if they wanted to ever play again. They did, and now those two are great friends." Some of the parents have also started teaching English (and as they're teaching informally, probably learning a bit of isiXhosa). That is a score for hands-on, informal sustainable development." that’s has been the beauty of the club, everyone contributes in the most surprising ways " says Joey who’s deeply touched by the shows of kindness. The payoff and the plea
The club is running on goodwill and out-of-pocket funding from some of the parents and organiser's pockets, but it is no hand-out. Players have to prove themselves; the rules are real ones that will stand them in good stead regardless of the professions or trades they take up in the future: earn your merits, pitch for training, train hard, be there regularly. According to the coaches, the commitment from the children is remarkable; especially when you appreciate that some walk all the way from their homes to practise in the rain. To that end, the club is open to donations and support from the greater Cape Town area. "Our plea is constant, should anybody have old boots, shirts, shorts, socks, footballs that they are no longer using, please donate it to us,” says Ian. The adult members have created a temporary clubhouse, two change rooms and plan to expand into a space with all amenities as time and budget allow. Find it on Facebook "NFC Community". A healthier way of working together. Noordhoek FC looks beyond FIFA 2010. “The most exciting thing about building a new club is that you're a part of history, [it's] an opportunity to offer our kids somewhere safe to play away from computers and play stations, and for those who remain with us will hopefully see their children and grandchildren come through our ranks." we want to build a tradition that has deep meaning," says Joey. In the interim, Coach Alan has his eye on one player in particular. "Sausage is going to be a phenomenal player," he assures me and I am glad to know that the World Cup fever is not just a momentary inspiration but a community motivation. We want the community to warmly involved with us Dog walkers, the Horse riders and we have plans to build a running track and outdoor gym - there will always be a good cup of coffee or a sundowner with special views.