This week we chat to Loyiso Bolsiki, a coach for Shakes One on One Football Training, about training talented football players for greatness.
What does your organisation do?
Shakes One on One Football Training is a sports and recreation registered NPO that was established to collaborate with players, parents, coaches, clubs and federations to educate, train and develop top football players.
When did you start?
We started the academy in November 2019.
What prompted you to start the organisation?
As I was nearing the end of my professional football career and had started with my coaching because of the passion for the game, I thought of something I could still do for the beautiful game and my community, so the idea of training and improving players in one-on-one sessions was born.
What experience do you have?
I am a qualified football coach as I have obtained a Safa coaching D-Licence. I played for Bush Bucks in the national First Division, Blackburn Rovers, FC Buffalo, OR Tambo Cosmos, Peacemakers FC and Alexander United. I also represented the EC in COSACSA national games.
What else do you do with your time, aside from coaching?
At the moment my time and focus is invested on growing the Shakes One on One Football Training brand and developing these young boys and girls. I am studying to improve my coaching skills and coaching local Star of India FC that plays in ELCLFA and Buffalo City College male and female teams.
What are some of the important techniques you teach players?
We focus on passing and receiving, shooting, decision- making, heading, first touch and ball control. We also focus on running off the ball techniques.
What are some of the challenges you encounter?
There are many challenges. The main challenge has always been finding a training field, but at least that’s been sorted now as we have been given the green light to use the field in Cambridge by councillor Allister Stewart and BCMM.
It has been hard to find sponsors as well but recently the National Lotteries Commission has come on board to sponsor us with training and playing kits, tracksuits and equipment.
Transportation has also been a challenge because we have youth who stay as far as Mdantsane and Scenery Park that play in our U21 team.
What are some of your organisation’s long-term goals?
Our main goal is to run a well-established football academy that will serve the interests of our young aspiring footballers from U10 to U21 and create opportunities for them to achieve their dreams of becoming pro footballers.
My short-term goal would be to become the EC head coach and my long-term goal would be to coach in the PSL or national team one day.
How do you assess what skills a player needs improvement on?
We find out their background, who they played for, their positions, and their weaknesses and strengths.
Is there anything else you would like the public to know about your organisation?
We have achieved a lot in the short time since we established it. We played against top teams and have sent our players as far as Poland. We will soon officially open the field in Cambridge and have trials for boys and girls from U10 to 17.
Companies or people willing to sponsor the academy will be welcomed. Contact Shakes on 064-667-2890 or email: Shakes1on1ft@gmail.com
