Deutscher Turn und Sportverein (DTS) coach Roy Modise grew up idolising the beautiful game of football.
Although he did not pursue a career in soccer due to his parents’ strict emphasis on academics, Modise, who was raised in Otjomuise, often played against teams from surrounding locations.
He recalls the highlight of his youth being when Civics Academy scouted their informal games, and invited a few players for trials. Despite not becoming a professional player, Modise’s passion for the sport led him to coaching, where he now mentors young talents at DTS.
“I was not selected, but a few boys from our team actually made it through the trials. For the rest of us who were not selected, we decided one Saturday to clear the area behind Michelle McLean Primary School, and make our own big soccer field like Civics. This field later became very popular, Otjomuise 1, 2, and 3. We all enjoyed many big and small rivalry matches there. So, soccer was always a part of growing up, daily bread,” Modise reminisced.
As the years went by, Modise grew a passion for coaching, landing a coaching role at DTS for the past eight years.
“I am with U/12 and U/13. I think this stage of development is where I feel I make the most impact. This is the stage where I can focus on building the character of the individual. I can take care of the personality of the players to shape decent human beings,” he said.
The mindful coach has been participating in the HopSol Youth League since its inception.
He feels the league helps with the development of young players.
“I believe that it’s very important to have this type of structured competitive games to accelerate the players’ development from a footballing perspective,” he noted.
Last year, his team failed to get to the knockouts by just one point, but he aims to reach the knockout stages this year. “We always strive to at least reach the semi-final stage of the competition. This year, the teams are in good positions so far, but my philosophy is to always do better and be better than the former you. So, let’s keep pushing; it’s still only halfway through the competition. One game at a time, three points at a time. We’re all very excited and look forward to the next round of matches,” Modise said.
The biggest challenge for him is the participation of parents in the children’s activities.
“At this stage, parents begin to show support at games, and I think that can really give the boys an extra boost. Also, our referees are really doing their best, but sometimes fatigue sets in, and they make some judgements in error. Perhaps get a bit more rotation in refs and assistant refs, starting from U/13, because as coaches, we introduce the boys to the offside laws of the game,” he said.
Modise ranks an achievement for him as meeting former players he has coached, and seeing how he could use the transformative powers of sport to shape a young mind into a person who can make a meaningful contribution to society in whatever career they choose.
-slunyangwe@nepc.com.na
Saturday Fixtures:
KFA vs ACFA U/17
SKW B Field
8h30 League
Riverheights
FA vs Kasaona
FA U/17 SKW B Field 9h40 League
WHK Gym vs Baller Boys U/15 SKW B Field 10h50 Group A
Dama SA vs DSFA U/17 SKW B Field 12h10 League
ACFA b vs Swallows U/17 SKW B Field 13h20 League
WHK Gym vs Swallows U/19 Jan Mohr Field 8h30 League
CBS vs OSS U/19 Jan Mohr Field 9h50 League
Ramblers vs Dama SA U/19 Jan Mohr Field 11h10 League
Riverheights FA vs ACFA U/19 Jan Mohr Field 12h30 League
Kasaona FA vs OSS U/19 Jan Mohr Field 13h50 League.