Engen, South Africa’s leading petroleum brand*, and football partners SuperSport United continued to give back to local communities when they hosted a coaching clinic for 60 children at Brebner High School on Friday, 09 February 2018. SuperSport United Academy coaches, headed by the club’s current under-17 coach, Ricardo Katza and the Academy chief scout, Godfrey Mosoetsa spoke to the players prior to the start of the clinic explaining the purpose of each drill, the expectations of the coaches and the discipline required during coaching sessions for players at the elite level. 

Mosoetsa and Katza then put the players through their drills, focusing on aspects of the game such as passing, positional play, match tactics and game intelligence.The training clinic also included scenarios focused on decision making in a match situation. 
After the clinic, the SuperSport United coaches encouraged the players to apply themselves both academically and on the sports field.

They also spoke about the importance of making the correct lifestyle decisions and to pursue their dreams with “pride, passion, determination and enthusiasm.”Lee Bateman, the Sports-master at Brebner High School welcomed the initiative. “We do not often have the opportunity to learn from experienced professional coaches. This clinic affords our players a glimpse of the work ethic required at a professional level,” said Bateman.

“Judging by their enthusiasm, one can clearly see that the children enjoyed the clinic. We will apply the learnings of this clinic in our preparation for the 2018 Engen Knockout Challenge, Bloemfontein later this year. ”Football coaches from local schools and teams who attended the coaching clinic were afforded an opportunity to engage with the SuperSport United coaches about coaching techniques and the development of young players.

Engen representative Brad Bergh said the visit underlines Engen’s commitment to providing a platform for young footballers to improve on their present skill set in the sport. “Engen believes that by providing skills development for the local community we will see it one day produce players who participate in the prestigious Engen Knockout Challenge. As a company, we are delighted to be a part of the development of football players at grassroots level.”

“Engen cares about the communities in which it operates and strongly believes in the power of football to uplift and inspire the youth of Bloemfontein”, Bergh added.

*As voted in the Sunday Times Top Brands and Sunday Times Generation Next surveys.