Spurs buzzing with excitement as youth players return to Ikamva

The Cape Town Spurs youth academy doors were finally reopened on Monday under lockdown level 1 and Ikamva has been buzzing with excitement as a result.

It was the first time since October last year that our youth academy players were allowed back in training amid the continued fight against Covid-19.

Head of Youth, Duncan Crowie, is equally excited to be back working with the academy players at Ikamva but is under no illusions of the challenges that are to come.

“We sent the players back home with training programmes and wanted them to live their life as children instead of professionals as such. A child is a child and they’ve got their own fitness,” said Crowie.

“It was the older players that play in the ABC Motsepe League that we were more worried about, they train for much longer and in the next week or so we will run more tests which will determine at what level we need to pitch our training sessions.

“This will be a normal yet slightly shorter pre-season. Nothing special, the only thing that is different is being as safe as possible in terms of Covid-19, adhering to social distancing and protocols as such.”

Crowie added: “We have no concerns, we are really looking forward to the season. We’ve been out of the game for so long. Last year we played only two matches, soccer is what everyone in this building is all about and we are looking forward to that.

“When the season starts we mustn’t be overzealous. The players’ health comes first, we are not only talking about Covid-19 but injuries can happen if we prepare the players in an incorrect manner. So we have got to be patient so that when we play our first game that the players are physically and mentally ready.”