The trials were held for learners from the Johannesburg West region and surroundings, with the turnout showing how the competition has captured the imagination of those seeking to make football a professional career.
A total of 17 coaches put the learners through five different skills tests before deciding which had the talent to advance to the next round of the search.
It follows the first weekend of the search where over 1600 learners participated. The programme is now well on its way to achieving the target of putting 10 000 boys and girls through the course and on the road to possible superstardom.
The Future Players initiative, run in conjunction with the Gauteng
Provincial Government, is open to youngsters aged 13 to 16, and will continue to have trials at centres around the province until March, leading up to the big reveal of who will be the 2013 Future Players Talent Search winner.
Next up there are three sets of trials this coming weekend. On Saturday, 23rd February, Highlands North Boys High will be the venue for learners in the Johannesburg East region, while the Hillview High School will entertain learners from the Tshwane North & West region.
The trials taking place at the Isak Steyl Stadium at the Vaal University of Technology on Sunday, 24th February will run in conjunction with the 2013 Future Champions Schools Cup.
The Schools Cup features 16 teams from Gauteng chosen by the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA), with the top two sides competing in the 2013 Future Champions Gauteng Cup tournament next month.
Aside from the skills assessment that is used to identify the best of the young participants, all learners also take part in a 45-minute life-skills programme that is presented by representatives of Grassroot Soccer’s ‘Skillz’ programme which teaches about living a healthy, risk-free life.
Each set of trials for the 2013 Future Players Talent Search will get under way at 09h00 and finish at 15h00.
The best youngsters from the 15 district trials will be chosen for the semi-final and final to be staged at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville on March 30.
The remaining trials will take place on the following dates and at these venues:
23 February Johannesburg East: Highlands North Boys High
23 February Tshwane: North & West Hillview High school
24 February Sedibeng: East & West Isak Steyl Stadium
16 March Johannesburg: South & North UJ Soweto Campus
16 March Gauteng: West Greenhills Stadium
17 March Ekurhuleni: South & North School Sports of Excellence
17 March Gauteng East: Kwa-Tema Sports Complex
30 March Semi-Finals and Final Nike Football Training Centre, Pimville
