RB6 Soccer School set for Barcelona Dream

Ajax Cape Town U12 coach Rameez Behardien will be jetting off to Barcelona next month with his RB6 Soccer School to participate in the prestigious Iber Cup from the 11th-15th of July.

This is Berhardien’s story with the Cape Town native dedicated in helping nurture a better future for kids from the Mother City…over to you Rameez:

I started playing football at 5 years old for a local community club. I played competitively until the age of 17 years old when I decided to rather pursue a career in the financial world instead of furthering my football for obvious financial reasons.

I continued playing socially, but took an early interest in coaching and decided to attend a SAFA course as well as a KNVB (Royal Duch Football Association) course which was facilitated by Nic Labohm & Ruud Krol and later also completed a course in Sports Management through UNISA.

During this time I was asked by parents to privately coach their kids and assist with improving their weaknesses and developing their strengths. The results were positive and the demand grew, from there I started coaching small group sessions and soon the RB6 Soccer School came into existence.

The name RB6 is made up of my initials and the jersey number of my favourite player [former Barcelona great] Xavi Hernandez. Not only was he one of the best midfielders to have played the game, but he is also loved because of his humble persona and team ethos.

The idea behind the school was to give a platform to boys and girls from different backgrounds, cultures and ability to develop and equally express themselves freely in a well structured environment.

RB6 Soccer School will embark on its 1st international tour in July 2017 where we will participate in the prestigious Iber Cup in Barcelona, Spain. The team chosen to represent the school is on the very basis the school was formed.

We didn’t select the strongest boys but selected boys who has been part of the school for the past 3 or 4 years and also selected a couple of boys from previously disadvantage backgrounds to afford them this opportunity and experience with the hope of this making a lasting difference in their lives.

The long term goal and what I hope to achieve is to one day incorporate an academic school to run in tandem with the school. Being involved in soccer for many years, there is no doubt we have a surplus of talent in the country. The one thing lacking is education, I think if we are able to develop educated soccer players South Africa can easily make its way to the forefront of the football world.

With this we have now extended the RB6 Soccer School an added a NPO called RB6 Soccer School Foundation. The NPO will offer social, life skills and coaching sessions and also create opportunities for community members to become coaches in to order to enhance the community uplifment drive we are on.

On a personal front, my future plan is to further my knowledge abroad, at the right time, for now there is so much work to do at grassroots level.

I live by a quote by Xavi Hernandez, “I don’t win prizes, I construct them. I get more enjoyment out of giving an assist than scoring a goal”

“Making a difference and putting the smile back”