Joel aims for goal
Joel is a matriculant at Belgravia High Joel is a matriculant at Belgravia High
Joel Solomons, a young Athlone footie star, has the opportunity to attend a soccer clinic in Germany at the end of September but is struggling to find funding to make his dream come true.
Joel, 18, a matriculant at Belgravia High School, is the grandson of Boebie, a seasoned coach who is now the assistant coach of Ajax Cape Town.
The excited teen says he got the honour of attending an educational football exchange in Stuttgart this month and his family has been struggling to raise the funds.
Joel, a rightback for Chelsea Soccer Club in Bridgetown, started playing soccer at the age of 11.
“To attend the clinic will be really be exciting. I am also excited as it will be my first time flying and I know the experience will be great. An opportunity came and I grabbed it with both hands.
"I would really like to attend and showcase my talent,” Joel says.
The trip will cost R32 000 and the family has raised half the funds so far. But with time running out, they are now appealing for a good Samaritan to lend a helping hand.
Joel’s father, Enver Solomons, says they have held numerous fundraising events.
IDOL: Oupa Boebie Solomons
“We have been having fundraisers since we received the invite for the trip. We held many karaokes and my wife and I have been selling boerewors rolls for the past eight weeks,” he says.
“Many people also promised to help out, but those were empty promises. I will send him, this is his dream. I made a promise to him that he will go, even if I have to sell my own things.”
Joel says his oupa is his hero and he would love to follow in his footsteps.
“My grandfather is my idol. Many people say I am following in his footsteps as he was as crazy about soccer as I am now. But I also want to follow in his footsteps and have a kwaai soccer career,” he says.
“I appreciate all my parents have done this far and everyone else for their time in assisting to raise funds. I really am excited to go. I cannot wait.”
If you would like to assist in making Joel’s dream come true, contact his father Enver on 082 601 4185 or [email protected].