FIRST JUNIOR ASTRO LEAGUE IN DURBAN, KZN. HARTLEY PRIMARY TOGETHER WITH SAFA BRING THIS TO YOU. STARTING IN SEPTEMBER 2016....

1. Dear Principal/Sport coordinator/Coach
HartleyPrimarySchool inconjunctionwithSAFA (SouthAfricanFootball Association) wouldlike topresent
thisopportunityforyourschool/clubtobe a part our initiativeof participatinginthe firstJuniorAstro
Soccer League inKZN.
Due to the rise in number and hype of astro turf facilities in our region, the craze and excitement has led to a
demand for an astro turf league. The main objective of these astro turfs coming into existence is to play
socially, especially for youth.
It is time to take these games to the next level and create an opportunity for players to enhance their skills
and develop holistically by playing competitively.
An event of this proportion will serve as a platform and open doors for developing youngsters in a fast paced,
skillful and exciting game.
Durban has the Ethekwini Eagles who play futsal (5 a side indoor soccer) at a professional level. This
professional futsal league is becoming more and more popular and attractive. KIA hosts tournaments in
major cities around S.A to select a team to play internationally. Mobitel, a local team won the tournament in
Durban and Johannesburg and reached the semi finals in Brazil in 2014. Kia also hosted a tournament on
the 24th May 2016 were winners are to compete in France. There is scope for future success in astro/futsal
but there is no foundation to cater for the development of players at a young age.
The Benefits of astro/futsal soccer.
 Small sided games which have been made compulsory by the Dutch KNVB association
which currently have the best youth development.
 Provides maximum participation for learners due to low number of players.
 Forces the player to think quickly on the ball.
 Manoeuvre with the ball in tight spaces creating more ball control.
 Encourages a passing game due to it being small sided games.
 Creates ample opportunity for shooting.
 The astro facility is
 Well maintained.
 Always ready in terms of availability due to the fee to be paid to play.
 Nets and field demarcations are permanent as compared to waiting for association
to do it.
 Good drainage system which makes playing in the rain more accessible.
We at Hartley Primary School are ready to start this initiative and lay the foundation for the development of
youth through this league.
Vision .To develop and enhance the player’s cognitive, physical, spatial and technical skills for a better
opportunity in playing for our country
Mission .To develop a structured league, that will be a base and a foundation which will groom players for
provincial, national and international teams/tournaments.

2. About the league
The objective of this league is to select the best 10 players from each division, to train and participate in
FUTSAL tournaments provincially, nationally and internationally. For example our national futsal team played
in the AFCON tournament this year and did not proceed pass the group stages. This is because of the lack
of development and a structure at ‘grass roots level’ for futsal. This Astro league is providing this
development and is the start for future success in this sport. Therefore, Hartley Primary and SAFA link to
bring this league to you.
The league will first comprise of the u9 (2007/2008), u11 (2005/2006) and u13 (2003/2004) divisions, hence
the idea of development for youth and in the following season to expand to cater for other divisions as well.
The season will run over a 10 – 12 week program, depending on how many teams enter the league.
The league will start in September and terminate in November 2016 before examinations begin.
Games will be played weekly. For some schools games can be played during the week whilst for club teams
games can be played on Saturdays. This is to ensure that this league does not affect other league matches.
This will be a 6 a side game with max of 10 players per team.
A joining fee of R500 per team is required upon registration. With each player getting a hamper worth over
R50
We are taking the first 10 teams from each division to kick off this league.
Being under the banner of SAFA Dclfa, players are insured in the case of serious injuries.
The leagues fixtures, results, information and even video footage of games can be viewed on Hartley’s web
page.
More information and details will follow once we receive confirmation on participating in our league. Please
reply ASAP as time and place in league is limited.
CONTACT DETAILS
Dawood Paulsen (League Co-ordinator) Imtiaz Saib (League Director)
hartleyastroleague@gmail.com isaib@mweb.co.za
0748859105 0312073498
D.Paulsen I.Saib
Matthew Knuckey (SAFA DCLFA Youth Co-ordinator)
durbancentralfa@gmail.com
0846299011
M.Knuckey