Ajax Cape Town’s Kerwin Oliver, 12, returned home with gold after he helped the Western Cape under-13 team to top spot at the national championships in Durban, earlier this month.
An under-12 central defender at Ajax, Kerwin earned a spot in the South African School’s Football Association (SASFA) under-13 team, last month. And, at the tournament, the SASFA team merged with the South African Football Association (SAFA) team to form a formidable Western Cape squad.
His father, Hirian, said everything is going well for the youngster and he is developing quickly since he joined the Urban Warriors this season.
“I went through a couple of trials to make the Western Cape team. At the first one the selectors chose the Central team, and at the second one they picked the Western Province team.
“Last month was the final trial at the Western Cape Sports School, where they chose the Western Cape team. It was a great experience playing against players from clubs like Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs,” he said.
Kerwin was first spotted by Ajax two years ago, and was invited to join the club’s First Touch Programme.
He was one of 16 players who they groomed last year to become this season’s under-12 new recruits.
“After the programme last year, the club called my father to give him the good news that I made the squad. At first, the new schedule and training methods were really tough, but it got better with time. We train three days a week and play league matches on a Saturday.
“I remember my first game was against Vasco da Gama, and we beat them 2-0. Our toughest opponents this season have been Fish Hoek FC and we drew against them 2-2,” he said.
Hirian said Kerwin’s achievements are a good sign of the hard work he has been putting in this season.
Earlier this year, they took part in the Salt River Blackpool junior tournament and were knocked out in the semi-finals by the eventual winners, Tramway FC.
On their way to the semi-finals, they beat Battswood FC 2-1; defeated the hosts Blackpool 2-0; and lost 1-0 to Milano United during the group games.
“In the last-16 we beat Santos
2-0 then Camps Bay 3-0 in the quarter-final. And, after finishing our game at 1-1 against Tramway, they beat us 3-2 on penalties,” he said.
Kerwin started playing soccer at the age of four at Junction Rovers FC, and later joined the FN Rangers’ under-12 team – where he spent one season.
“I think everything is going well because he works hard. He has soccer four days a week and it keeps him busy.
“He’s learnt a lot at Ajax and being disciplined is something they really push at the club. And, they have to watch what they eat,” he said.
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