What started as just a social get-together seven years ago, the Veterans Social League has now evolved into a fully-fledged and highly competitive competition.
The league now consists of 14 teams with different age categories ranging from over 50, o.45, o.40 and o.35 players to not only keep fit in the summer season, but to claim bragging rights as to who can puff out their chest come the end of their campaign.
Winterberg Rovers is currently the only team that consists of two A (pictured) and B divisions.
“And this is very pleasing and encouraging,” says the founder Denver Stoffels who along with another season campaigner Gavin Combrink plays in Winterberg Rovers’ (o.40) B and A teams respectively.
“We started with six clubs who played on a Friday night at Heideveld Sports Complex during the off-season from November to March,” Stoffels further explains.
“Then the Third Division teams moved their matches to a Friday night and we unfortunately were forced to play Sundays, but this did not deter us at all. Due to the growth and popularity of this league, we now have to accommodate for games.
“We use three fields for our games, two grass surfaces and the astroturf. We pay a monthly fee for the hiring and lime used for the fields as well as the referee’s costs. Matches start at 11.30,12.30 and 13.30. By 15:00 we are done and the guys enjoy a Sunday afternoon chill. It is all good laughter, banter and fun. It also keeps the camaraderie and friendships in tack,” Stoffels concluded.
The team to beat in recent seasons is DMX11 who has three titles (2017,2019 & 2021) under their belt while Ashley Rovers has one (2022/2023) thus far – this could all well change this season as the competition is definitely getting stiffer with Goodwood Legends and Real Madrid setting the pace.
