Where it all started

The inaugural season of Big League’s Soccer Mtaani initiative was held in August 2018 at MKP school grounds. The training Camp was scheduled to run for 10 days but ended up running for 15 days! Because it was the first of its kind in Thika town, we were not sure if we could pull it off. Thankfully, our team of Experienced Coaches headed by Coach Pete Kamau encouraged us and the League was on. Equipment-Check. Grounds-check. Coaches-check. Players-?

Day 1: 12 PM…

It’s just us and our equipment (footballs, kits, cones etc). Anxiety creeps in slowly. The coaches however are not anxious. They have been here before. 1.30 PM and the action started, boys trickling in from all over Thika town. Girls too. We had only thought it would be boys, BUT girls of all ages, shapes and sizes were drawn to the footballs like moths to a flame. By the end of the first training session they had been slotted into the appropriate age-groups, assessed for skill level and kitted.

For the next three weeks it was all serious play on and off the field. Players would train on the pitch for 2 hours and then engage in a 30 minute interactive session of our life skills program designed specifically for soccer players. It was a blast! They under 10s even chose a team Mascot!

We capped the season with a tournament between the parents and their children showcasing the skills they had learnt. All the players received their assessments and awards were handed out to players who showed exemplary skill, discipline, commitment and demonstrated leadership.

Oh we also had snack-fest because we had worked hard and we deserved it!

A big thank you to LiveAd, Archers Place, Mutkos Sporting Equipment,  Thika United FC and Better World Systems (BWS) for believing in us!