Football: Young footballers from RA rewarded |28 November 2015

After a tough year competing against the various schools across the country, the footballers of English River secondary school were yesterday rewarded for their efforts in a ceremony held at the school where they were also treated to a donation of brand new equipment.

The school’s head teacher, Marie-Claude Morel, praised the young students who have taken up football as it is noticeably helping them to perform better at school.

“Football is one of a dozen clubs that form part of the school’s extra-curricular activities (ECA) and it is a great tool to improve discipline as well as the academic performance of the students who form part of the team,” she said.

The students from the under-13, under-15 and under-17 selections were rewarded with certificates and trophies were handed out to the top players.

Ashley Lavigne (U13), Darius Brizilia (U15) and Guilliano Mousbé (U17) were honoured as the top players in the three respective age groups, while Jamal Marie, who forms part of all three teams, was named the under-13 young talented player of the year.
 
Josip Ravinia, whose father, Georges, was one of Seychelles’ top footballers in his heyday, was given two awards. He was named the top scorer of the under-15 and under-17 categories and top young talented player in both age groups.

The coordinator of the football academies within the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF), Jim Louis, was also present and he urged the players to take their education seriously no matter how talented they are at football as the sport is only one part of their lives.

After the awards ceremony, the recently set-up Friends of English River School Association made a donation of sports equipment to the school. The school’s volleyball and football teams were presented with shoes and uniforms which they will use in their activities next year.

Mrs Morel said: “In order to keep performing and making our school proud we need the appropriate equipment and therefore we are grateful for the donation we are receiving today. This donation will better help students to identify with the team and will also create a sense of belonging among the players.”

Friends of English River School Association chairman Bernard Toulon said as he was born and raised in the district of English River, he wanted to give something back.

“When I was on La Digue, I saw the RA volleyball team playing barefoot and I immediately asked the teacher there to give me the shoe sizes of all the players and that is why today you will have new shoes to wear for future games,” he said.

He also told the children that they should take their education seriously in spite of all that can be achieved through sports, as all those achievements will not happen without proper education.

S. N.