I’ve spoken quite openly on this space about my deeply rooted desire to have a little girl and experience the many facets of girl parenting. But I’ve also spoken candidly about what it’s like to raise two gorgeous little boys and be apart of their lives as they take on the world of dragons, swords, sport, superheroes, wrestling and the many other, often gross and comical aspects of raising two little humans with enough testosterone to bring down The Hulk.

Which is why I’m so enjoying seeing Noah excel at sports. More specifically, ball sports! I really do feel a sense of excitement stir up inside me when I think about future matches and being part of the sideline cheer. I’m slowly beginning to realise that raising boys is such an adventure and the fact that we have discovered the best Soccer School in Cape Town, Super Sport United, means Noah is well on his way to becoming a pretty good little football star. I realise I’m totally bias but I’m allowed to be right?

You may have remembered the post I wrote about the camp that Super Sport United Soccer School hosted in Cape Town during the July holidays and it became even clearer to me, as Noah attended the camp, that he possesses a skill that needs to be nurtured very closely. Skills and natural talent aside, I have to say how impressed I was with SSUSS Cape Town- on so many levels! I take my hat off to Brent and Wesley – the friend duo who are the brains behind the programme. They are so passionate about what they are trying to teach young kids through sport and its pretty darn inspiring!  I mean I’ve heard it being said before that sport is not only about the physical development, but very much part of helping kids develop a stronger sense of confidence and self-esteem. I always knew that sport offered so much more. But like with most things in life, you only really understand the how’s and why’s when you experience it first hand yourself.

In the three days Noah took part in the camp (he was sick for one of the days), I noticed three very big changes or adjustments in his behaviour:

1. After the first day I noticed a shift in his attitude. He went from saying “I can’t” to “Look what I can do!!” His confidence literally sky rocketed from as early as day one. Honestly, for a child who is usually very shy and easily intimidated, I was pretty shocked to see how he just got stuck in.
2. On the second day I noticed that not only his skills had improved and his understanding of the game, but that he had made a connection with his team mates and in doing so gained a better understanding of team work. Being the youngest and smallest kid in the group, it was amazing to see how the bigger kids took him under their wing and offered him encouragement at every turn.
3. By the third day his confidence was through the roof and he could show me moves he was struggling with on day one. He was now using words like ‘we” instead of “I”, a wonderful indication that team sport brings with it a sense of unity. It must also be said that by day three he informed me he wanted to attend SSUSS everyday.

SSUSS Cape Town is all about offering kids the very best there is when comes to football and helping nurture their confidence through developing ball skills. This is clear and evident through their mission statement:

“Young Players involved with Supersport United Soccer Schools are the most important people in our work. It is our goal to help each of the players fulfil their potential, whether that is to play league/non-league football, 5-a-side with friends, weekend club, Supersport United Team, the Premier League or to play in a World Cup Final.

We offer the very best advice on training as we work to create a complete footballer. Becoming a professional footballer is no easy task, but working together we believe that a realistic chance exists to do just that.

Quite simply our goal is to change the way that football is both coached and played. We desire that the game becomes more skilful, entertaining and enjoyable, both to play and watch. To do this we have to change the way that the game is coached and taught to children. We believe we have made a good start in doing this already with the introduction of the game of Futebol De Salao (FDS), the Skills Badge Challenge and the SSUSS syllabus.”

It’s with great pleasure that I get to inform you that SSUSS is now open for Cape Town registration and we are kicking thing off with bang!!

SSUSS are offering the chance for ONE lucky kid to WIN a month’s FREE coaching! This competition will be open across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and entering is super FUN! Here’s all you need to do:

1. Show Super Sport United Soccer School Cape Town some love on Facebook (Because that seems like the polite thing to do)
2. Snap a picture of your little football star and upload it on social media using the hashtag #WinWithSSUSS (simply post it in the comments of the post). If you share to twitter, don’t forget to tag @mom_diaries.
3. Like and Share the competition on Facebook and/orTwitter using the social icons below.

**  For a bonus entry you can tag a friend (On the Facebook link) who you think may be interested in getting in on the action! **

* In addition, SSUSS are offering an added bonus! The first 5 kids to sign up in August will attend the next Cape Town Soccer camp free!

T’s &C’s

• This competition is open to Cape Town Residents only.
• The winner will need to follow all the required steps in order to qualify for the prize.
• The winner will be chosen at our discretion and our decision is final.
• SSUSS and The Mom Diareis  will in no way be held accountable for any losses or damages whatsoever.

* SSUSS is run from UCT’s lower campus (off Mowbray main rd) which is so accessible and central, right in the heart of the Southern Suburbs. For more information about their age groups (Ages 3-15 years) and time slots you can visit their website or refer to the flyer below.

Hi I’m Leigh! Did you enjoy reading this post? I really hope so and would love you to stick around a little longer! Please feel free to browse my blog for other articles or to keep up with all the latest news and to be the first to hear about some great competitions, come and find me me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also email me directly at leeloobaggins@hotmail.com or simply subscribe below and never worry about missing out!