The Schoonbee Landgoed soccer team won the Limpopo Trophy at the Mark Fish Foundation Game of Stars farm workers’ soccer league with a total of 11 goals during the four games. The tournament was hosted on Saturday 19 October 2019 at the Ranch Resort in Polokwane.

The Game of Stars farm workers’ soccer league held five district tournaments, where 47 matches were played, and an impressive 117 goals scored. This was to determine the top 10 teams that had to battle it out at the finals for the coveted Limpopo Trophy during the tournament on Saturday.

“The Game of Stars tournament creates a sporting culture on farms; it builds relationships between farm workers themselves and with their employer. It also uplifts skillsets and provides players with a platform to showcase their talent,” says Mark Fish, who officiated the event.

The Game of Stars is a joined initiative between the Mark Fish Foundation and Limpopo Agriculture where football is used as a platform to access rural and marginalized communities to build bridges between these communities and, therefore, cultural and social differences. The objectives of the initiative are to:

• Develop both male & female farm workers and rural farm schools through sport.
• Bridging cultural & societal divides.
• Creating a sense of community through shared achievement in teamwork.
• Provide alternative lifestyle choices to addiction and gangsterism.
• Reduce attacks and crime on farms.
• Improve labour relations.
• Find hidden football talent
• Provide a platform for rural communities to compete and be recognised.
• Continued development of coaches.

Lourika Vlietstra of the Mark Fish Foundation said the tournament culminated with the selection of the AgriUnited team by Mark Fish and advisors. The team comprise of the top 18 players selected from the 10 competing teams. We are super proud that four of our Schoonbee Landgoed soccer team members as well as our coach were selected for the AgriUnited team. The AgriUnited team will practice for a week during a training camp and then play two friendly games against SuperSport United on 15 November 2019 at the Lucas Moripe stadium. Games will be streamed on DigiTV and StarSat. Game of Stars uses the quick-paced fast-footy football format and is a collaborative effort between the Mark Fish Foundation, Agri Limpopo, Saai and Farmboek. For more information please visit www.mff.org.za