THE Stockelsdorf junior soccer team from Germany spent a week in Grahamstown as part of a soccer exchange programme.
The 34 member German touring party arrived in Grahamstown on 12 October and spent the week exploring the area and visiting various schools.
THE Stockelsdorf junior soccer team from Germany spent a week in Grahamstown as part of a soccer exchange programme.
The 34 member German touring party arrived in Grahamstown on 12 October and spent the week exploring the area and visiting various schools.
The Makana/Stockelsdorf Youth Football Exchange Progamme involved an U16 German side working together and playing against a Makana U16 soccer team.
Coach of the German youth team, Peter Mantik, who studied at Rhodes University in 1996, said the aim of the exchange programme is to “bring together two different cultures to play soccer.”
Mantik said it was important for the German team to meet different cultures, break walls, and work together with the South Africans.
Soccer stars
“It is amazing how two different cultures work together in sport,” he said, adding that he could feel there was a special atmosphere amongst the two teams.
The German coach said this week’s programme was a chance for the two sides to learn from each other, including the different styles of training.
The first match saw the Stockelsdorf side facing the Makana U16 soccer team at the JD Dlepu Stadium, where the German side received a warm welcome. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The week was jam-packed and the teams spent time at the Miki Yili Stadium where the two sides played five-a-side matches and enjoyed a braai together. The Stockeksdorf side also faced the Kingswood College team Landsdowne Rovers in an entertaining match.
The two teams took part in a coaching clinic, before taking to the field once more. This time the teams were split with both sides made up of Makana and Stockelsdorf players.
Sad to leave
At the end of the exchange programme, both teams travelled to Port Alfred where the German side took the Makana side out for a farewell dinner.
The exchange programme between the two sides was initiated by Jeff Budaza, the Makana Municipality 2010 Soccer World Cup project co-ordinator, and Peter Mantik, the Stockelsdorf youth team coach.
The two met at Rhodes University in 1996 and have kept in touch over the years, with the concept of the exchange becoming a reality when Budaza visited Mantik in Germany in 2004.
Mantik said that after the braai at the Indoor Sports Centre, nearing the end of visit, the Stockelsdorf kids “wanted to stay” as they were having a great time with the Makana team. “One highlight was followed by another,” he said.
Future plans
They are currently planning next year’s trip where it is hoped that the Makana side will travel to Stockelsdorf for the continuation of the exchange programme.
Mantik said the two sides got on well together, although he did not expect the communication to be as easy as it was. He said the team members “spoke about life in Germany and Grahamstown and soccer", and they all trusted one another.
“It’s magic,” said Mantik, adding that while German is 10 000km away, “we cannot feel the difference."
Stockelsdorf team member Sebastian Hantel said he enjoyed everything about the trip, adding that the local pupils were friendly and the games were good.
The highlight for Hantel was the first match when the local players and supporters sang the national anthem.
He said he was looking forward to welcoming the Makana side to Stockelsdorf next year.
Goodbye Grahamstown
“Very nice and a wonderful village,” said Tobias Frank about his stay in Grahamstown, adding that the local residents were welcoming.
Frank said the first match was great and he was impressed with the Makana players’ technique, as they were able to trick their opponents well.
Steffen Demuth said the stay was a lot of fun “and the stores are great”.
Demuth said he had learnt a lot from the Makana team, saying they were very good players. “They can run and run and run,” he said, while adding that the Makana team did not “make good shots at the goals".
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