SOCCER STARS NEED AN ASSIST
Celtic Wanderers Football Club call for aid to help kids' programmes
The Celtic Wanderers have junior and senior teams.
Image: Supplied
A Cape Town football club is appealing for financial assistance to bring some cheer to players who deserve to be celebrated.
The Celtic Wanderers Football Club was established in 2010 and has become a sporting home to about 110 juniors and 40 seniors.
The team, which has players from the Salt River, Woodstock, Observatory, Bonteheuwel, Langa, Mfuleni and Athlone, caters to aspiring and avid players from all walks of life.
The club’s Director of Football, Tashreeq Isaacs, 40, from Salt River, explained that the club is trying its best to improve the facility being used.
He said the mission of the football club extends beyond the pitch, providing mentorship, and outreach initiatives that foster a safe and inclusive environment for youth to develop into confident and responsible individuals.
Children from various areas are part of the club and remain dedicated to the sport.
Image: Supplied
"This is where we give back via education with extra classes (such as maths, English, and Xhosa classes), free physiotherapy for the elderly, and to teach individuals to work with their hands, e.g., welding, computers, etc.
"So we reinvest in the community by upskilling them. Then we can redo their CV and apply for college for them to study further. And one of our big goals is to take players on a life skills tour for seven days. They have never been outside of Cape Town before,” Isaacs said.
While facing a myriad of challenges, the club believes that through football, it can shape the lives of young people and positively contribute to the community.
The club, which is a registered non-profit organisation (NPO), does not even have a dressing room for players to change during training or game day.
Tashreeq said female players have to dress in a car.
He added: "The lights are not conducive to night games, and most of the children do not have the basics, such as boots to play the beautiful game."
The costs of running the NPO increase annually, and receiving any support would help in sustaining the club’s mission.
Tashreeq appealed: “Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our players and the broader community. We would be honoured to discuss this further and explore how anyone can partner with us to make a lasting impact."
The Celtic Wanderers can be contacted via Tashreeq Isaacs at 073 381 8826 or via email at [email protected].