Once dilapidated Bonteheuwel sportsfield has finally ‘Met’ its match with new FMC striving for positive change

The face and fortune of the dilapidated and vandalised Metropolitan Sportsfield in Bonteheuwel is changing for the good – albeit at a snail’s pace.

From the minute one sets foot in the complex the subtle but positive changes are visible to the naked eye. The most notable and most important change is the perimeter brick wall that has been erected lately.

Not to mention the new wire fencing on the opposite side, which is structured in such a way that it eliminates the long alley between the field and the two primary schools, Cedar and Central Park. This will hopefully help nullify unsavoury activities from those who do not care about the community.

Hats off to the FMC who have negotiated and hustled for these small victories. Needless to say, there was a slight buzz caused by Sea Points Swifts and Bluegum United who organised some friendly matches as part of their preparation for the new LFA season which is scheduled to kick off on 17 April – this despite that there are still no ablution facilities and running water.

The Met’s Executive also held its AGM at the Modderdam High School which is a stone’s throw away from this iconic field, which was once the stomping ground for legends such as Swift’s William ‘Pele’ Anderson and the late Sedick Benjamin, while players such as Michael Kleinsmith from Bluegum. also made his mark.

The LFA’s president Wayne Weitz was rather upbeat and optimistic for the season that lies ahead.
This, despite the fact that his LFA has been in decline with a number of clubs opting to relocate to the neighbouring Rygate LFA.

Clubs such as Bonteheuwel United, Everton and others are all playing their football at Rygate “for the benefit of their players and future generations.”

Weitz opted to focus on the positives and said they currently have 10 clubs who are keen to get the new season underway. Weitz, who is serving for the previous 12 years as the Met’s leader, also pointed out that despite the fact that the City of Cape Town has not played ball with the football fraternity in the Bontas for several years now, they should also acknowledge the recent positive strides made.

“One of the things is that the City has basically started with a Facility Management Committee and we have agreed to secure the facility, enclose and secure it to make sure that it becomes a hub and safe haven where kids can freely enjoy their football,” Weitz explained to No Bones with Jones. 

“And we can see the difference. Yes, vandalism is taking place on a small scale still on the facility but it’s going to take time to educate people, especially the youngsters. But I think now that it is fully enclosed there is going to be less movement (for vandals) as the security has been stepped up by the complex.

“But still they (security) fear for their own safety because of these youngsters. But with the place completely enclosed, they will enforce their security aspect far better. “Look, we had discussions with SAPS last year and they are willing.

They even now play here at the complex once a week and we hope with that engagement that they will become a regular partner with regular visibility to help decrease crime.

“I mean last year we had major successes, despite the vandalism. If we look from a football front we could complete our season. Take Goulburn (Athletic) who to the surprise of many people went on to become a beacon of hope for many people in Bonteheuwel – for young people and the entire community.

“It went further with the recognition of talent and the ability of people. We nominated people for Safa Cape Town awards and we were nominated in most of the categories. This was something to be proud of and I could boast about it at the AGM.

“The Safa CT (senior) Player of the Year (Shakeen Johnson) was a tremendous achievement as it speaks volumes of what is transpiring in Bonteheuwel. Again, the Referee of the Year for the second time has been awarded to Ruweyda Brown and a player (Omar Dollie) who was awarded the Coke Cup Player of the Year… no one knew about him as the talk was all about the fancy players but there was this jewel that was recognised amongst all the players.

“And who can forget Burnley, the women’s football club doing exceptionally well in terms of the league they are playing in, despite what is around us they could hold their own.

“Teams from Gauteng started knocking on their door as they started to see the ability and talent of the ladies and that means there is something good that people are doing here at these clubs. All we need to do is to harness that and plan together as a team. Because if we don’t tackle this scourge as a team then it will unfortunately not happen,” Weitz added. 

When our website probed Weitz about the main issues discussed at the first AGM of the year, he replied: “Something that is key for us is to be able to account tpo our members,” Weitz told No Bones with Jones. “More importantly is to plot the way forward for the 2024/25 season.

“Two key things that were important for us: one we said is that with Metropolitan being 93 years old this year, what we need to do is to take it back to its former glory years. In achieving this we as clubs need to come together with the leadership of all the clubs.

“We need to recognize each and everyone’s role in this so that we can socialise and unwind this (unhealthy) rivalry that we bring onto a soccer field and unite ourselves into the leadership of football as a community and speak as one voice,” Weitz concluded.