Soccer Challenge Cup Tournament: Message from Mike Thiel
This year holds a special significance as we come together not only to witness the exceptional talents of our male players but also to embrace the inclusive and empowering spirit of the FIFA Women's World Cup. We are honoured to recognise the remarkable achievements of women in football and their profound impact on the sport.
To our dedicated sponsors, Discovery, Mitre and Energade, I express my deepest gratitude for your involvement. We value your commitment to developing youth sports and are proud to have you as partners in this endeavour.
To all the players, officials, and spectators, I trust that your time on our campus will be filled with camaraderie, friendly competition, and the sheer joy of playing the football game. At St David's Marist Inanda, we firmly believe that nurturing talent at the schoolboy level is vital in identifying tomorrow's football stars and look forward to an exciting blend of individual flair and disciplined teamwork throughout the matches.
As we cheer on our teams, let us also remember that success in soccer and in life is built on the principles of sportsmanship, fair play, and collaboration. I encourage everyone to compete with passion and determination while upholding the values of respect and integrity.
The value of this tournament, and school sports in general, lies in providing a platform for disciplined participation. It is through such experiences that young individuals develop a lifelong love for sports played with the right values.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to the St David’s community, who have contributed in various ways to make this event a resounding success.
With 32 participating teams this year, we continue to witness the growing prestige and significance of the St David's Marist Inanda Challenge Cup. This achievement would not have been possible without the continued support of our parents and sponsors. Your generosity ensures that we can continue nurturing the spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork, and discipline in our youth.
As we come together to celebrate football, this year we also celebrate the unity that sport provides as we support and celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup, and Netball World Cup where the world witnesses the incredible talent and passion of our national teams; Proteas and Banyana Banyana.I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Mr Brad Ireland, Mr Franco Gilardi, and our dedicated sports staff for their tireless efforts organising this event. I also acknowledge Mr Thomas Ramutshindela and the grounds staff for ensuring our campus is ready to host this grand tournament. Your hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed.
Once again, I extend my warmest welcome to each one of you, participants and supporters alike. May the 2023 St David's Marist Inanda Challenge Cup Tournament be an unforgettable experience filled with moments of triumph, camaraderie, and fair play.
Yours sincerely,
Mike Thiel
Executive Headmaster