It’s about teaching young players the basics, says coach

There is an old adage that there are two types of people in this world, the ones who simply talk and dream of success and the ones who go out there chase their dreams.

Well meet Ramez Berhardien, a 43-year-old football coach who resigned from his day and stable income job to pursue his vision of the establishment of a football school.

After several seasons as junior coach with Ajax Cape Town, Berhardien went on to start RB6 Football School.

“It’s basically the first letters of my name and surname and the six is the last jersey number I played in. I was then a player with great aspirations to play pro-football, but I never made it. I was a good boy and listened to my parents to study accountancy,” says Berhardien.

“It was out of pure passion and love for the beautiful game that my dream became reality in 2011 when I was approached by parents to assist their kids with extra football coaching sessions. After a couple of years of private coaching, the next step was to start RB6 in 2013.

“I have coached players from four years old and up, assisting them with improving their skills. The results were positive, and the demand became greater.

“Look RB6 cannot guarantee any player will turn out to be the next superstar, but we guarantee to teach players basic skills and techniques as well as equipping them with fundamental life skills such as team work, respect, discipline and social skills through sport to enhance self-confidence in everyday life,” said Berhardien.

Ten years on, Berhardien is still going strong and has now added a fully fledged football club – Cape Town Fusion – to his brave but courageous initiatives to not only enhance football players but also inspire the youth through a holistic approach using sport to assist them, hence the slogan “Beyond Football”.

He says two years ago he was approached and forced into starting the club because as a football school where he concentrates on juniors, players must leave the school and join other clubs. But then players wanted to stay on which basically forced him into seek affiliations with the Cape District LFA in Wynberg.

On Saturday, Cape Town Fusion went on to beat Origan Rangers 4-3 in a closely contested Premier league at the Solo Street sportsground in Steenberg.

So where did the name Cape Town Fusion come about?

“During my travels abroad, I met up with Real Madrid Academy. They also have a Real Madrid Fusion. What this entity does is to keep the players in a structure who do not make it in the pro-ranks.

“I kind of thought it would be apt to name us Cape Town Fusion to give the players who have not made locally in the top-ranks to show off their skills,” said Berhardien.