Karl says...
As a coach, surprises aren't always welcome events. Losing 7 players before you go to regionals, a player gets suspended from school and can't play (my rule, not theirs), kids forget to tell me until 5 minutes before training they have already left town on vacation....and so on.
Three years ago, many of Siya's friends were picked for the Ubuntu Academy. He went to school with them because his mother worked at the school. Since he loved soccer, he asked if he could train with the academy boys.
We didn't pick him...he picked us.
We said yes, and Siya has been around ever since.
As a coaching staff, we knew that Siya would be in the bottom third of our players talent wise on the U15 team. Honestly, we just hoped he wouldn't make any mistakes serious enough to really hurt the team.
Half way through the season, Siya earned his way into the starting line-up. Instead of coming off the bench, he became a key contributor and leader on the team.
Siya is also one the core group of boys that has never missed our DBS bible studies. He shows up faithfully and enters into the discussions with a desire to learn more.
He always has a smile on his face and is a joy to be around. I want to be more like Siya...never settling for what others expect but surprising them with what I can achieve.
He is one of the few kids in ALL the kids I have ever coached over the past 12 years that has continually approached me and asked for feedback on how to be a better player. 
