A champion Woodstock soccer team has been left devastated after their kit was stolen.
The equipment of the Queens Park Football Club’s under-9, 10, 11 and 12 teams was stolen out of the coach’s bakkie in Bo-Kaap on Sunday.
In April, the club’s under-12 team came back from the UK victorious after winning the prestigious Manchester Cup.
The teams are supposed to play fixtures this weekend, but won’t be able to unless they urgently get a sponsor.
The teams are supposed to play fixtures this weekend, but won’t be able to unless they urgently get a sponsor, says club chairman Adam Alexander.
“We have about 50 boys who are affected by this. As a club, we’re already going through traumatic issues. We have always been going through a struggle,” he says.
“We have no professionals and everyone from coaches to administrators associated with the club all do this voluntarily.”
Adam explains how the kids’ gear was stolen: “Our clubhouse is in Woodstock and after training on Sunday, our coach went home. His bakkie’s canopy window was forced open.
“They took the extra soccer boots (for the boys who do not have), five kits, four goalkeeping gloves which were recently purchased, as well as about 12 balls, registration cards, matchbooks, everything.”
He says after winning the Manchester Cup, someone sponsored new kit, but that is also gone.
“We got a pink Manchester United kit from one of the scouts for our under-10s after the team won the Manchester Cup, that was also among the stolen goods.
“This weekend we will have a knockout competition and I am not sure if they will allow us to play with bibs. Hopefully there’s a good Samaritan that can help us.”
Club chairman Adam Alexander says their equipment was stolen on Sunday. Picture: Jack Lestrade
Adam says it is heartbreaking that someone would steal from children who need help the most.
“To the person who took it, just please give the laaities’ things back. The children are already disadvantaged and they need this.
“To anyone going to buy this, you will not win games.
“We will not lay charges, we just want the items back.”
If you have any information regarding the stolen equipment, or would like to get on board as a sponsor,
contact Adam Alexander on 082 684 3383.
The little champs need a kit for their next game.