Kamogelo Seekoei

Bloemfontein Celtic have sealed a new partnership with HTS Louis Botha High School’s football management.

The deal, signed last Thursday by managers from both parties, will see the Free State school providing players for the club in the future. Selected players will play in Celtic’s under 19 team before being tried for the senior side.

Celtic’s technical director, Mich D’Avray, expressed his delight with the partnership and said the school had in the past few years set the benchmark in school soccer.

“The school seems to focus and concentrate a lot on soccer. I think quite a few players have come out of this institution,” he said.

“Obviously, it is a partnership that will benefit both ways. It will enable us to bring in players from the school into our under 19 development side. We will also give bursaries to some of their pupils if possible.”

HTS Louis Botha is the 2012 David’s Challenge Cup champions, They beat Marist Inanda on penalties in an enthralling final last August.

The school’s soccer team is also renowned in the schools soccer fraternity being considered among the best along with Benoni High School, St Stithians College, King Edward VII, The Glen High School, Grey College from Bloemfontein as well as Norkem Park High School’ St John’s College and Jeppe High School for Boys.

Johannes Cronje, head of sports at Louis Botha, said the school was honoured to have such a partnership.

“This presents an excellent opportunity for our learners who want to play football professionally for Celtic. It is a mutually beneficial partnership that we hope will last forever,” he said.

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