VISIT TO LAVENDER HILL SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL



14 February 2010

The latest in the clubs visits to high schools that are attended by members of our PSL squad was to Lavender Hill High, the school attended by Erwin Isaacs.

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The visit took place on Thursday, 11 February 2010.

On the day, Santos arrived at the school just after 12h15 and were giving something to eat and drink by the school. At 12h25, when their last lesson finished all the pupils were assembled in the quad and then the SANTOS F C group took up their place in the front.

We were welcomed by the Head of Department to their school and he said that it was indeed a pleasure to have us there. He asked Erwin to stand for all the pupils to see and he received a massive ovation. He was followed by the Headmaster who also welcomed us and said that he hoped the addresses to be delivered as well the fact that the team had taken time out of their busy schedule would be a motivating factor to all at the school.

He mentioned that he remembered Erwin very well from his time at the school in the early “noughties” and that he hoped that no one currently at the school will say “I will not amount to anything as I come from Lavender Hill”. He said that Erwin was a role-model to all the residents of Lavender Hill and that he proved that people from the area can achieve what ever they set as goals for themselves.

Ryan Chapman then delivered an address on the harm that drug-taking can do to one, especially the young. He mentioned some of the side-effects that can come from “using” and begged the pupils to refrain from becoming addicted as this would affect their future lives. After his talk he received a huge ovation from the pupils (especially the girls!)

Yusuf Gester, the team manager, then made a presentation to the school on behalf of SANTOS F C of a big club flag and two balls which they could use either when training or when playing matches. The gifts were received on behalf of the school by Anastasia who over the past two years has received both regional and provincial colours and whom the school are very hopeful will receive national honours this year.

Further gifts included miniature balls, flags, autograph cards and 20 autographed colour photographs of Erwin Isaacs, which were to be distributed the following day.

The next speaker was the Coach – Boebie Solomons – and in a very light-hearted manner, he introduced all the assembled players. This proved to us that most of our players are household names as there was loud cheering whenever the players were introduced – especially those who are Capetonians. (Some players were obviously firm favourites of the girls present!)

The final speaker was Eduan Naude and he spoke on “What it’s like to be a Professional Player”. He told the gathering that if they wanted to be a professional sportsperson in any sport they needed to be dedicated and would have to sacrifice many things, especially family life as they may be contracted to teams that are in cities far away from their homes and would have to leave families to play their sport. BUT, he said, there are many good points, especially being able to play the sport you love and to get paid for it! He told them that they must train long and hard and they will succeed. He too, received a huge ovation.

Finally, the Headmaster again thanked us for being there and said that our visit would, he hoped, be a motivating fact to the pupils to improve in everything they did. He invited some of the pupils to come forward and ask question of the group and some amusing and interesting questions were asked, mainly answered by Boebie Solomons. He then closed the proceedings.

When the gathering broke up, our players circulated amongst the pupils and signed autograph cards, shirts and caps and we had difficulty bringing to an end an exercise that should have lasted only ten minutes. It took just over 30 minutes for our players to leave – such was the adulation by the pupils! We left with a promise to return and to provide them with tickets and transport to future games.

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