PE pair off to the big time with SuperSport United

KIRK de Boer and Chadley Jacobs are names to look out for in the very near future in the world of soccer.
The two 16-year-old Gelvandale boys got a big break when they secured places in the SuperSport Academy and will be jetting into Pretoria today to begin life in professional football.
De Boer and Jacobs played for Swallows in Port Elizabeth and caught the eye of a number of professional soccer clubs from around the country including Bay United, Orlando Pirates and Santos. But they opted to go for trials with SuperSport United.
“SuperSport have the best academy and the best set-up in the country. Being part of them will be great for me to kick-start my career. It is sad for me, since I‘ll be leaving my family behind, but the move is great for my career, one I could not let pass,” said De Boer.
The youngsters have their eyes set on making an impact at their new club and are already hoping to move to Europe in the near future.
“For now we will concentrate on the academy and try to secure permanent spots in the first team next season. After that we have our eyes on going overseas, and that is possible because guys like Daine Klate, who is playing for SuperSport at the moment, and Kermit Erasmus have done it,” said Jacobs.
De Boer and Jacobs made a great impression at the under-17 interprovincial tournament that took place last December in Gauteng, resulting in their selection.
The pair‘s successful moves were initiated by former PE soccer heroes Bruce July and Frankie Schoeman.
The two former stars last year decided to give back to the community by assisting young soccer players who showed the potential of making it as professionals. They held personal coaching clinics and used the contacts they had acquired at various clubs over the years to “give the boys an opportunity to prove themselves”.
“We train youngsters between the ages of 13 and 17 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at the Gelvan Grounds. But we do not take them away from their clubs. We give them a more personal form of coaching.
“We encourage parents and coaches who have kids with potential to bring them to us for free. The management of Swallows was superb when it came to that because now the two boys have this great chance,” said former Bafana Bafana player Schoeman.
July added that the coaching pair were not agents or managers, but merely pass on to the youngsters what they had learnt from their days as professionals. He also said they hoped to get backing for logistics in order for them to reach other areas in the metro to assist with the careers of potential future stars like De Boer and Jacobs.
The two boys will be jetting off to Turkey and Holland in April with the Academy side to take on European opposition.