FOR Wentworth soccer enthusiast, Cassidy Forbay, finding out he was selected to play with his team at an international cup in his favorite country, Italy, was a dream come true.
But, for the 12 year-old- this may not become a reality as he now has to raise almost R22 000, to attend the Youth Easter Soccer Cup set to take place in San Siro, a football stadium in Milan, from April 3 to 9. Cassidy, who is a goalkeeper for the Durban Lyons, was selected to play in the U13 team.
Samantha Forbay, his mother, said he was selected during the trials that were recently held in Richards Bay and Johannesburg.
“It was during the trials that he showed his best skills and was found to be an excellent goalkeeper. My child was so excited and overjoyed after he was selected, but now we have to make his dream of going on this journey a reality, and we only have until the first week of March to pay the full amount.
“However, I am a single mother and currently unemployed which makes it very difficult to afford the trip. I see this as an opportunity for him to continue with his dream of being a soccer player, and not fall victim to the social-ills such as drugs, gangsterism and violence that has plagued our community and taken control over the lives of our youth. This is a mother’s only wish,” she said.
Forbay, said Cassidy’s passion for soccer started at a young age.
“Soccer has been a passion in our family for many generations, so from a young age you would always find him playing with a ball.
“As he got older, he would take his ball and go to the park and would be complimented by everyone on how well he plays. After seeing the potential in him, at the age of eight I decided to get him into a club. At 10-years-old he joined Durban Lyons and now has this once in a lifetime opportunity to play abroad,” she said.
Cassidy, who is a Grade 8 learner at Umbilo Secondary School, said he hopes to become a professional soccer player, and inspire other youth in the community in the future. “I want to make my family and country proud. When I achieve this goal, I hope to also be an inspiration to the youth in our community and show them that something great can come out of Wentworth,” he said.
Cassidy added that he hopes to play for the Manchester United Football Club. If you would like to assist, contact Samantha on 084 851 7308 or 074 830 8129.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news via our Telegram group, send a WhatsApp message to 084 418 2286.
For more Southlands Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
.