Day 50 Week 8 12th March

Into our 8th week and the start of our computer course. As the learning centre has been really quiet and with the computer course over subscribed Azille had asked us to do a basic computer course. 7 people turned up and we started with week 1, basic hardware and using the computer. What seems simple to us is very difficult to others that have never been in front of a computer before so it was quite difficult for us to try and simplify this particular session. But we managed well and by the end they were all typing up sentences on word, opening the internet and comfortable with using the mouse. Next week is slightly more difficult and includes using Microsoft Word again. Some of the people couldn't believe we were doing it for free and I think they were really greatful which was nice.

We finished up and headed back to Berghof as we were having our locks changed on our door and we needed to collect a key before the manager left. We stopped off at a cafe to pick up a koeksister, it's like a doughnut cooked in syrup with coconut, really nice, Harry can't get enough and has even asked for the recipe. We then got some lunch and headed to Berghof, our door hadn't been done, so we just chilled out abit as we didn't have to be back at work till 4. 

After sitting in traffic for nearly an hour we arrived in Ruyterwacht and picked up Joe. We went down to Bonteheuwel where we would be taking a session. We were given 25 kids, a few balls and a few cones. We had a decent sized pitch with goals, we were worried at first as 1 of the pitches had horses walking on it but luckily they were fenced in. We started by getting the boys into groups and just getting them passing and moving, there was little moving as the boys just wanted to stand still and pass. We then moved onto rondos which is the possession/ball retention drill we like to do. We noticed that a lot of the boys pass with their heads down and take far to long to release the ball. I decided that we would play 2 matches on 1 pitch, 1 would go vertically the other horizontally. This would mean that you have to keep looking up as there were 3 other teams on the same pitch. From the side it looks messy, and I'll happily admit that if I was sitting watching this from the side I'd think what is going on here. But it works it has a purpose and is part of what we like to call organised chaos. We finished up with a chat with 1 of the coaches, he wants to put in place a soccer development programme at the club, he said he tried but when he spoke to the chairmen his demands weren't met. He had asked for 60 footballs, I fully understand why he wants so much equipment and support the idea of helping out the kids, but realistically he went in too high with his demands. I hope he finds some support he needs. We were just leaving when 1 of the coaches mentioned they had been sponsored by Southend United, they had even been given Southend kits, Southend is a 4th division team back home that is quite local to me and I didn't expect them to be sponsoring a team in a small town in South Africa.

We quickly packed up and headed back, Harry had to rush back as he had booked onto an online FA Coaches course tonight. Apparently it was really good but I didn't stick around to watch. Late start tomorrow and an end to another week closes in.