Curtain falls on another successful Bayhill Premier Cup Tournament

Cape Town

Thousands of spectators witnessed Grassy Park United taking top honours in the annual under-19 football tournament, when they beat Cape Town Spurs in the final at Athlone Stadium on Monday, 10 April 2023.

The prestigious Bayhill Premier Cup delivered goals, thrills and excitement as the 32 participating teams battled it out at the City’s Erica Park Stadium in Belhar.

Among the participants were two teams from Namibia and 11 from other provinces, but the final was an all local affair.

The match was played at Athlone Stadium, to accommodate a larger crowd, and at the final whistle, Grassy Park United walked away 2 – 1 winners over Cape Town Spurs FC.

‘The City is a proud supporter of the Bayhill Premier Cup, and this year’s instalment proves once more that it is a worthwhile investment. We are a city and a country that lives for sport, and it is so satisfying to see well-organised and highly regarded events such as the Bayhill Cup taking place in our communities, at our City facilities. To all of the players and supporters who turned out over the past few days, thank you so much for your involvement and enthusiasm and we hope to see you all again next year. To Grassy Park United – a hearty congratulations on your big win … it was incredibly special to share this moment with you all,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

The tournament games at the Erica Park stadium in Belhar were all sold out, with large numbers of spectators in attendance in spite of the rain.

Nearly 12 500 people attended the final.

The tournament was attended by SAFA national scouts, a sports recruitment specialist, as well as numerous prominent footballers including Duncan Crowie, Desmond Crowie, Shaun Bartlett, Nasief Morris, Lance Davids, Ricardo Katza, Sinesipho Mali and David Nyathi.

Awards of recognition and individual accomplishments handed out at the closing ceremony were:

Referee of the tournament: Christopher Kistoor, Top goal scorers: Lyle Daniels – City Kings and Kiyaam Carelse – Hellenic, Manager of the tournament: Arnold Marlow – Jomo’s Power, Coach of the tournament: Andrew Herman – Cape Town Spurs, Most promising amateur team: Jomo’s Power, Team of the tournament: Grassy Park United, Player of the Tournament: Luke Baartman – Cape Town Spurs, Bruyns Plate final award winners: Greenwood Athletic, Bruyns Plate final award winners: Jomo’s Power, Pat Connolly Mid-Section Final, runners up: Highlands Park, Pat Connolly Mid-Section Final, winners: Bayhill United AFC, Roger Clayton Trophy, runners up: Cape Town Spurs, Roger Clayton Trophy 2023 winners: Grassy Park United.