The untimely death of Leila Sauls, 11, a year ago will be remembered by her former school and soccer club at the AW Barnes sports field on Saturday.
Sauls, a passionate soccer player, died while she was a Grade 5 pupil at AW Barnes Primary in late March last year after an unsuccessful kidney operation.
AW Barnes school principal Geoffrey Gamiet said an annual sports tournament would be held in remembrance of the feisty girl.
“She was a diligent learner who always rose to any challenge and more than anything she loved the game of soccer. She never played for the girls team, but religiously played with the boys to prove she could do it.”
Buffalo City Soccer School coach Baron Bosman said Sauls was only nine when she joined the team, a project sponsored by the Laureus Sports for Good foundation that addresses social ills through sport.
“Leila embodied everything the Buffalo City Soccer School wishes their players to be. While other girls her age played netball or stayed at home playing with their dolls, Leila played soccer. Even though there were girls’ teams Leila competed with the boys because she liked to challenge herself.
“My fondest memory of her was in November 2014 when she asked me to take her to Johannesburg to watch Chiefs and Pirates play. I told her that in 2015 we will go to watch Manchester United play against Kaizer Chiefs. She was not impressed.”
Bosman said Leila was an amiable little girl and due to her physical condition made sure she was noticed amongst the boys.
“The image of her on the field with her life skills outfit, pink Adidas tracksuit, pink necklace with the pink rosary standing out, pink sunglasses, pink-and-black takkies, will always remain across that field.”
Lennie Kaatz, one of the German volunteers who had coached Sauls, said he was happy to be part of the first sports tournament in memory of the brave, remarkable young girl.
“I was in South Africa for a year coaching the soccer team and Leila really put her heart in the game.
“Three months after I returned to Germany I learned of her death. I am so glad to be part of the tournament in her memory.”
First annual tourney for feisty Leila
Sauls, a passionate soccer player, died while she was a Grade 5 pupil at AW Barnes Primary in late March last year after an unsuccessful kidney operation.
AW Barnes school principal Geoffrey Gamiet said an annual sports tournament would be held in remembrance of the feisty girl.
“She was a diligent learner who always rose to any challenge and more than anything she loved the game of soccer. She never played for the girls team, but religiously played with the boys to prove she could do it.”
Buffalo City Soccer School coach Baron Bosman said Sauls was only nine when she joined the team, a project sponsored by the Laureus Sports for Good foundation that addresses social ills through sport.
“Leila embodied everything the Buffalo City Soccer School wishes their players to be. While other girls her age played netball or stayed at home playing with their dolls, Leila played soccer. Even though there were girls’ teams Leila competed with the boys because she liked to challenge herself.
“My fondest memory of her was in November 2014 when she asked me to take her to Johannesburg to watch Chiefs and Pirates play. I told her that in 2015 we will go to watch Manchester United play against Kaizer Chiefs. She was not impressed.”
Bosman said Leila was an amiable little girl and due to her physical condition made sure she was noticed amongst the boys.
“The image of her on the field with her life skills outfit, pink Adidas tracksuit, pink necklace with the pink rosary standing out, pink sunglasses, pink-and-black takkies, will always remain across that field.”
Lennie Kaatz, one of the German volunteers who had coached Sauls, said he was happy to be part of the first sports tournament in memory of the brave, remarkable young girl.
“I was in South Africa for a year coaching the soccer team and Leila really put her heart in the game.
“Three months after I returned to Germany I learned of her death. I am so glad to be part of the tournament in her memory.”
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