image It is not everyday where an amateur team can boast of a 15 year existence, especially in a region like the Vaal Triangle where football is not a be-it-all nor end-it-all. In an country like ours which is highly unequal and the socio-economic problems are highlighted on a daily basis, it takes more than courage for a few individuals to sacrifice their time and most importantly potential high paying jobs to decide to give it all through football development. The tale of Celta Vigo FC is one of selfless service to the broader community. Institutional ambitions image Little Vigos reading during the recent holidays The club has over the last fifteen years worked hard to professionalise their setup , with a recognisable structure that runs the day to day operations of the club. The club boasts currently of a Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Steven Mandla Dlamini who oversees everything to do with club from employment to issues of sponsorship. Celta Vigo Football Club is registered as a Non-Profit Organization under Celta Vigo Development Center, Ref:088-529. The club CEO also speaks of having ambitions to acquire more personnel to fill in the gaps in the club’s structure, these range from a public relations officer, head of storeroom, head of transport and accommodation and community development officer. Due to a lack of funds the club encourages members of the community with a know-how in the above mentioned sectors to come and volunteer, though no financial gain will be rewarded, people can always gain experience and knowledge that will always prove to be beneficial. The club also has a Technical Director and Team Manager in the form of once club head coach Mr Themba ‘Sithimbana’ Dlamini ,who is tasked with overseeing the team’s style of play is adhered to, the right type of coaches employed, and the club’s youth teams are in sync. In fulfilling of his role as the team’s team manager his core responsibilities include managing the team’s activities from transportation, dealing with players on a one-on-one level, player registration for league and cup competitions and initiation of life skills programmes. The club’s Head Coach former Bloemfontein Celtic player Mr. Xolani Makhoba is tasked with the day-to-day training of the team’s players, dealing with players on a one-on-one level, maximizing and harnessing the players potential whilst implementing the Vigo style of play. Plan’s to further grow the club and professionalise it has been an ongoing process that saw the club form its first satellite structure in Sasolburg, Free State. The club aims to recreate itself into more than a football club but an community institution. A community institution indeed… image Little Vigos in action image Support follows Vigo everywhere they play Celta Vigo FC has for the last 15 years been the pride of Evaton and Sebokeng, the flamboyant style of play has often seen many a crowd follow the club wherever it plays. Mention Vigo and be prepared to hear tales that can go on and on and on. It is because of such adoration that Celta Vigo enjoys, the founder of the club Mr.Themba Dlamini and CEO Mr. Steven Mandla Dlamini knew that the club couldn’t only offer football to the community but a whole range of empowering and inspirational services. Celta Vigo FC has brought a new meaning to club football, that of community oriented football club. The club has a range of community based initiatives, namely the Celta Vigo kindergarten corner a program that is aimed at toddlers and pre-school learners in and around Sebokeng zone 3 and Evaton. The program offers early childhood sport participation and football training, currently all pre-schools in the area are pledged to contact the club if they would like the the program to be introduced in their pre-schools. The second program the club has running is with members of the community and squad members of their various teams that takes place whenever the club has free time from their playing schedule, this program focuses on the cleaning of their community be it gardening or litter, so as to preserve the environment whilst passing of important environmental lessons to the community. The third initiative the club has is the partnership with the Lerato Old Aged Service Center, where the club’s CEO Mr. Steven Dlamini helps with the organizational duties whilst also plans are in the pipeline to offer the elderly members of the center physical exercise and a formation of Celta Vigo Elders FC. The club regards elderly members of the community as pivotal after all, they have walked the long journey that which is life and seeks to bring together their football players and the elderly for life lessons workshops. The final initiative the club runs is situated at their base which is a shack in Evaton next to the Zone 3 Stadium, the initiative is based on helping their football players with homework and assignments after school and before training sessions. The initiative also offers computer skills training to their players, even though space in a shack is limited whilst also offering self-services such as printing, faxing & emailing. Rise Vigo Rise It is often said football unites, tackles barriers and transforms lives. The tale of Celta Vigo FC is one of a selfless struggle to see not only future football players being unearthed but the whole community being empowered and united. One can only wonder where the club could be and how many more lives they could have touched with a little more financial backing. Rise Vigo Rise ⚽ image Mr. Steven Mandla Dlamini in action Contact details for sponsors & volunteers Mandla Dlamini (CEO) email: celtavigodevelopment@gmail.com Contact: 083-891-1392 Themba Dlamini email: thembacoach@gmail.com Contact: 073-052-3996

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