Everton star and former Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar returned to his old neighbourhood of Westbury this weekend to support his annual Steven Pienaar Community Tournament.
“This is where I grew up. Lots of people are surprised that I came out of this township, because living conditions are extremely hard. So I just want to make these kids understand that they can make it out of here and be like me or even better. It’s not where you start that counts, but where you end up,” said Pienaar.
“The Community Tournament also gives me an opportunity to reconnect with my people, old friends I grew up with and older guys who helped raise me in one way or another.”
The tournament was played at the Westbury A and B fields, Westbury Oval and the Union Stadium over successive weekends with the u11, u13, u15, u17, Steven Pienaar Seniors and Super League quarterfinals played on Saturday June 14, the semifinals on Sunday June 15 and the finals on Youth Day holiday Monday June 16.
Teams taking part included Westbury Spurs, Real Madrid, Boca Juniors FC, Fighters, Diepkloof Diplomats, Yorkshires, Future Stars, Palmeros, Prestige Academy, Argentinos, Mogale Celtic FC, Eden Park Callies, The Boys, Soweto Scorpions, Toekies United, Godisanang FC, Glorias Stars, Thames, United FC, Eberneze Youth Development, Westbury Stars Academy, Martindale, River Spears, Zico Boys, FC Munchen, Roses United, Noordgesig United and Umlilo.
Pienaar, who stars for Everton in the EPL, has been part of the PUMA football family since July 2011 and his sponsors are keen supporters of his Community Tournament, supplying PUMA kit to all teams which make it through to the quarterfinals. PUMA also presents the player of the tournament and top goal scorer with a pair of evoPOWER boots.
“PUMA is once again very proud to be associated with Steven’s Tournament. He has been a fantastic ambassador for PUMA on the local and international stage and it is fitting that we aide him in giving back,” says Brett Bellinger, Marketing Director of PUMA South Africa.
