The launch of the 37th edition of the u.19 Bayhill Premier Cup held at the Civic Centre’s Mayoral Banquet Hall had even the greatest of football personalities in South Africa, Stellenbosch FC’s head coach, Gavin Hunt, impressed.
‘Hunty’, as Hunt is affectionately known, is one of the most successful coaches and astute football brains in the country, indicated that he was pleasantly surprised with the commercial growth of the Easter Spectacle over the years since its humble beginnings at the Rocklands Sports Complex in Mitchells Plain in 1989.
“I remember the last time I was involved we did a draw at the Civic Centre in Westridge Mitchells and now we are having here in the Mayoral Hall which shows how much the tournament has grown,” Hunt addressed the audience.
“I have a great affinity for the tournament since it started way back in Mitchells plain as it has played a major role in footballers lives over the years.
“My message this evening is two-fold – to the young coaches in the modern game, keep it simple and don’t overcomplicate things.
“At this event you’ll be faced with pressure and adversity but its how you handle it. Keep it simple and be willing to ask for advice, not just football but also about life in general.
“To the players remember there’s always someone that’s watching. Cape Town at the moment is struggling (only one PSL club) as there is no real pathway for the young talent in Cape Town and not everyone is going to make it, it’s tough but don’t ever think that you will not make it,” Hunt concluded.
Meanwhile five debutants, Aberdeen SC, Bolobathaba United, Jacaranda Callies, Elite Pro Tanzania and Two For Joy will get their first taste of the Bayhill Cup while Rygersdal FC and Aberdeen qualified by virtue of best and second best third place finishes following withdrawals from two visiting teams.
Needless to say, the much-anticipated draw had everyone in suspense as coaches and players were eager to find out their fate – and as in previous years the proverbial ‘Group of Death’ wasn’t very far away with teams drawn in Group B emerged with that particular tag with the likes Cape Town City, Vasco da Gama, Everton FC and Hout Bay United FC .
Many will also feel that Group F, which include Mamelodi Sundowns, Safa Cape Town Academy, Maties FC and could also be a potential ‘deathtrap’ but this remains to be seen.
All in all, only time will tell who’ll rule the roost at the event which will take place from 1 to 6 April at the Erica Park Sport Complex in Belhar over the Easter weekend.
The respective finals will take place that Home of Football in Cape Town, the Athlone Stadium.
