Junior Soccer. The PRG Junior Soccer Academy officially launched on Monday the 31^st of January and Tuesday 1 February 2022. Thirty-two under 11’s and -13’s and twenty-seven under 7’s and -9’s joined the practice as the first members of the PRG Junior Academy. Enthusiastic young soccer players are now members of the Junior Academy at Paul Roos. They come from Stellenbosch, and communities as far as Paarl, Somerset West, Strand, Kuilsrivier, Durbanville and Sir Lowry’s Pass.

The excitement and enthusiasm on and off the field was undoubtedly infectious. The newly full-time appointed head of soccer is Edmund Pietersen. He feels “the initiation of the Junior Academy will improve the standard of high school soccer in the area as well as at Paul Roos. It exposes soccer players from surrounding primary schools to the PRG sport culture and philosophy. It also allows PRG to identify and develop these talented young players”. Soccer practice for Junior Academy members is scheduled for Mondays to Thursdays from 17:15 – 18:15 year-round.

Second soccer initiative

PRG is excited to announce a second soccer initiative – a holiday clinic for learners aged between 7 and 13. This will take place from 25 to 26 March at Paul Roos. This holiday clinic is open to non-academy soccer players and aimed at inspiring them to join the Academy. It serves as an alternative opportunity for PRG to identify and develop talented young soccer players from Stellenbosch and surrounding communities. All attendees will receive a PRG T-shirt and lunch. The Junior Soccer Academy and Holiday Clinic both cater for boys and girls.

These soccer initiatives are supported by Raats Family Vineyards and mvemveraats. Their vision for PRG soccer is above all a perfect match to that of its coach Edmund Pietersen. “PRG soccer is not about coaching boys to play soccer. It’s also about developing young men with integrity and life skills. We believe in doing that – the results will show on the field” Bruwer Raats.

To join the Junior Academy or sign up for the holiday clinic, parents can contact Edmund Pietersen at epietersen@paulroos.co.za or 083 536 6930. Young female soccer players are welcome too.