All Play, No Sleep!
Anyone who has ever laced up a pair of soccer boots, been apart of a team, or even just kicked a ball around with some friends, has dreamed of playing for a professional club; to walk through the tunnel of an enormous stadium onto the perfectly manicured grass, under the bright lights towering overhead. On October 9th and 10th,
Ambassadors in Sport provided such an opportunity for the communities of Soweto, Johannesburg and Pretoria…well, without the contracts. The experience of playing at Orlando Stadium was not the only attraction, but also the opportunity to play along side or against celebrities; such as Lee Sharpe, Shaun Bartlett, Ricardo Katza, John Moeti and many more. Matthew Booth also made a guest appearance and attended the Coaching Clinic on the Saturday.
The 24 hour football event Match for a Day is a fund raiser organized by Ambassadors in Sport to raise money to develop their Hope Academies across the country. The AIS team gathered celebrity friends to comprise a team to play against corporate teams in 24 one hour long 7 a-side matches. The Players had full use of the stadium facilities with access to the Home changing rooms, Player’s Lounge and Fan Zone.
Together with the AIS team playing their matches, there was a Youth Tournament that took place between Midnight and 6am. 5 teams battled it out in a round robin format with the winner of the Group being Champions. Each team also had the chance to play a one hour match against the select AIS team.
Leading up to Match for a Day AIS and Legal Wise organized “Freestyle” competitions at Maponya and Southgate Malls for anyone to show off their creative juggling and best freestyle moves. At each competition a team of judges selected multiple stand outs that would progress to the finals held at Orlando Stadium on Friday. In front of family, friends, and other event participants, over 50 finalists competed for the title of Junior and Senior Freestyle Champion.
An ongoing auction went on throughout the two days, with signed “Bafana Bafana” shirts, Lee Sharpe Signed Soccer Boots and many other items, many of which were donated to us. Thank you to all those who have helped us by providing such gifts.
Thank you also, to all the teams who entered and to all those who helped sponsor the event and different parts of the whole occasion.
A special thanks must go to LegalWise for being the main sponsor of the whole event. It would not have been possible without your help and co-operation.
