The trials were organised for the SAFA Eden Regional team which will be competing in the Provincial Beach Football Tournament later this year.
Earlier this year local football players and football members attended beach football training organized by SAFA and these members are running the Regional Beach Football Committee under the guidance of Ebrahim America, the provincial chairperson for beach football in the Western Cape.
The beach football trials were conducted under the leadership of Derick Philander, chairperson of the SAFA Eden Beach Football Committee.
While the beach football trials were in progress, the Executive Mayor of Plettenberg Bay, Mr Memory Booysen, and the Deputy Mayor, Mr Adam van Rhyner, visited the event, showing their support towards the development and advancement of beach football.
During the trials, a total of 15 players were selected to represent SAFA Eden at the provincial competition later this year.
The regional squad will be led by Sixolise Mtirara as team manager and Buntu Nzima as coach. The referees appointed to accompany the squad are Thembinkosi Mini and Jericho Paulse.
The regional squad members are Mkhanyisi Tyaliti, Sipho Pita, Leve Lonwabo, Ciliba Anda, Luzuko Bobela (all Mossel Bay Local Football Association), Randall Daries, Brian Kampher (both Plettenberg Bay LFA), Gurchan Quine, Johnathan Booysen (both Knysna LFA), Luyanda Mzolisi, Enver Arries, Dale Fish (all George LFA). Standby players are: Piet Bakkies, Sizwe Pita (both Mossel Bay LFA) and Jason Beukes (Plettenberg Bay LFA).
During the trials, one of our local players who participated on national level, Dale Fish, also attended. Fish has played in the national championships last year and was selected to represent the South African National Beach Football Team.
The SAFA Eden Beach Football squad will have their first training camp on Saturday 25 August at Santos Beach in Mossel Bay, starting at 12:30.
For more information on Beach Football in the SAFA Eden Region, Shamley Titus can be contacted at shamley.titus@gmail.com.
Players and officials pictured on the beach at Plettenberg Bay are from left (back) Ebrahim America, Derick Philander (Chairperson - SAFA Eden Beach Football Committee), Mkhanyisi Tyaliti, Luyanda Mzolisi, Enver Arries, Dale Fish, Piet Bakkies, Sipho Pita, Sizwe Pita and Jason Beukes. Front: Leve Lonwabo, Celiba Anda, Luzuko Bobela, Randall Daries, Brian Kampher, Gurchan Quine, Johnathan Booysen.
