In the scorching 35 degrees summer heat at Fisantekraal Sports grounds, Chippo Lo Lolo FC proved once again they are the champions of the CHS Department of Psychology 5-a-side Futsal Tournament held on 8 December 2022 in Fisantekraal, Durbanville.

Chippo beat Leeds United 6-1 in the finals after pacing their way through the knockout stages through to the semi-finals against Stormers United and winning their finals convincingly against an overwhelmed side of Leeds United FC. Leeds United beat the Inter Greens in the semi-finals. Stormers United FC came third.

Gavin Fortuin (pictured), a reformed offender, opened the event with encouragement and motivation for the adolescents about life choices and setting goals, as well as achieving those goals despite challenging circumstances. He narrated to the young men how he evolved from being involved with drugs, gangsterism, and delinquency, having served time in prison and then learning life lessons and turning his life around.

Unlike in June when it was held indoors at Fisantekraal Multi-Purpose Centre, the second tournament was held outdoors at the Fisantekraal soccer field and the heat proved to be a challenge for the participating teams. A total of nine teams participated, including Chippo Lo Lolo FC, Leeds United FC, Inter Greens FC, Manchester United FC, Beke le Beke FC and Rivals United.

The tournament is being held in collaboration with a research project titled, “A longitudinal exploration of the psychological development of young adults in the Western Cape”, conducted by a research team at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) led by Professor Maria Florence and Dr Tracey-Ann Adonis.

According to Prof Florence, part of the purpose for the second futsal tournament was to continue the research they started in June with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the life experiences, personality traits, mental health and values of emerging adults across Africa. Postgraduate and undergraduate students, guided by Research Psychology Interns Casey Botha and Noluthando Mpisane, were involved in the data collection while the tournament proceeded. The participation of these young soccer enthusiasts from a community such as Fisantekraal is important to ensure the representativeness of a diverse sample in this inter-continental study on emerging adulthood.

According to Wesley Pretorius, City of Cape Town Community Development Practitioner, who has been working in the Fisantekraal community for the past 16 years, the community has faced many challenges, however, gangsterism has proven to be the most challenging. In the past few months he has lost 3 talented soccer players to the scourge of violent crime and gangsterism in the community. A project of this kind is unique and heartwarming as it takes these young men away from the streets and occupies their time with sports and recreation away from social ills.

The CHS faculty has worked in the Fisantekraal community for many years, placing students at various community organisations and institutions to deliver health and social care programmes that benefit the community. Each year additional services are offered to the community.

Fisantekraal is a township in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is located 10 kilometres northeast of Durbanville and about 40 kilometres northeast of central Cape Town.