Written by…
LOURENZO CARELSE
Stellenbosch Area Coordinator

After wrapping up our under-11 sessions this evening, my fellow Champion Liam and I decided to make the most of the energy on the field. Rather than call it a day, we brought our U/13 soccer and rugby squads together for something a little different — a friendly cross-sport showdown.

The setup was simple: 40 minutes of 7-a-side soccer, followed by 40 minutes of touch rugby. The boys were fired up, and as the competitive spirit grew, we added five minutes of full-contact rugby at the end to give them that final release. It was lively, it was loud, and every one of them was fully present.

“It’s just another way to bring kids to the session with good competition and fun.”

But the session wasn’t just about the sport. With both teams gathered together, we used the occasion to deliver a Zip Zap life skills activity with the full group at once. Blending the two squads for this created a natural space for connection. Players who usually compete against each other had to cooperate, communicate, and engage as one group.

Moments like this are a reminder that the CoolPlay Way doesn’t need to follow a rigid script to deliver real impact. Sometimes the best sessions grow organically — from a group of boys who want to play, two Champions who are willing to be creative, and the shared belief that sport, when guided with intention, can do so much more than just keep score.