“Every child should have a soccer ball and not a weapon”.
That is the philosophy of 62-year-old coach Paul Saffier of Kleinskool, in Gqeberha’s northern areas — and not even a stroke could change his love of the game, or his compassion for the youngsters playing it.
His passion for the sport was ignited when his family had to move from Willowdene to Arcadia in 1970.
“There I played soccer with my brother and two cousins in the street.
“Later on, as a junior, I played for the Protea club and then went on to play for the Bloemendal club, called Bloom Callies.”
Saffier and his wife, Rhoda, moved to Kleinskool, where he started the Running Rangers soccer club at the age of 32.
About five years later, he changed its name to Kleinskool Spurs.
Saffier said the team had not been registered with the Northern Areas Football Association (Nafa) at the time and had played against three other Kleinskool teams.
“We could not afford soccer kits for the boys so I started selling boerewors rolls and with the profit we bought soccer jerseys.
“One of the most important reasons I started this club is was that there were no other sporting facilities other than for rugby in Kleinskool.
“I noticed that the young boys were restless and bored, and I wanted to do something to get them away from the drug and alcohol abuse.”
Saffier suffered a stroke four years ago and while he was sick, his friend Randall Maarman asked if there was anything he could do for him.
“I asked him to help me get Nafa to register the club.
“That was the time when gang violence was particularly bad in Kleinskool.
“I saw the youth losing their lives and I had to do something to bring some change to the area.
“And though we are now registered, we are still struggling.”
He said the unemployment rate remained high, and when they had to play in areas such as Fairview and Schauderville, they could not afford to pay for transport.
“We play with the uniform we have, but we want to look the part as much as we play the part.
“Selling boerewors rolls does not make enough money to buy the necessary kits.”
Angelo Ismail, 42, is one of the coaches who stepped in earlier in 2022 after attending a match and recognising the team’s potential.
“I had always heard about ‘Oom Paul’ but did not know him.
“I met him on the day of the match and started coaching shortly thereafter.
“I have seen natural talent among these players.
“We have a coaching team and together we nurture the players.
“They have the potential to achieve great heights.”
One such player is 19-year-old Luzuko Ndidi, who joined Kleinskool Spurs in 2019.
“I have always loved soccer because I grew up with a ball in a soccer-playing family.
“I played for Bloom Callies in the U9 team until the U15 division and decided to come to play for Kleinskool Spurs.
“Sport can change the lives of people.
“And I want to see a big difference in the Kleinskool community.
“My dream is to play professional soccer, but for now I want to contribute to the success of Kleinskool Spurs,” the avid Chelsea and Kaizer Chiefs supporter said.
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