ST FRANCIS BAY – The St Francis Bay community came alive on 4 September 2025 as 20 local corporate teams gathered for the first-ever St Francis Bay Corporate 5-a-side Soccer Tournament.
The event drew incredible support from local businesses, their staff, and the broader community, showcasing both the remarkable footballing talent in the area and the unifying power of sport.
The day began on a high note, as the Cape St Francis Resort Choir opened the event with a stirring rendition of the national anthem, sung loud and proud – setting the tone for what would be an unforgettable community celebration.
Event organiser Elizabeth Anderson of Nirmatri Events expressed her delight at the turnout: “You cannot host an event like this without local support. As a first-time event of this nature, we are thrilled at how it turned out. The passion was palpable, and the spirit of togetherness that was created yesterday is something to be hugely proud of. We thank each of our sponsors for their role in making this possible.”
Special recognition went to Gardmed, who generously sponsored the on-site ambulance – a huge saving on the running costs of the event – while Calibre Security ensured the safety of players and spectators throughout the day.
SUPERSPAR added a refreshing touch with halftime oranges and a surprise ice-cream giveaway on the pitch, and every player received a First Choice recovery milk drink, courtesy of Woodlands Dairy, who proudly support soccer initiatives.
Nexus made a massive contribution by entering five teams, helping to fill the 20-team fixture list.
The competition was fierce, with Big Time Taverna, Nexus First Team, Just Property, and Cape St Francis Resort making it to the semi-finals.
Big Time Taverna went head-to-head with Nexus, while Just Property battled Cape St Francis Resort.
After two hard-fought encounters, it was Nexus and Cape St Francis Resort who advanced to the final.
Nevermind, Timber Concept, The Brewery, Spar and DG Siyenza also showed that they were forces to be reckoned with on the soccer field, giving fans even more to cheer about.
A big thanks also goes out to Kleurspace, 22 Eatery and Calibre Security once again – all winners simply for stepping up and taking part in this vibrant community showcase.
One exhausted but smiling player summed up the mood perfectly: “Five-a-side looks easy until you’re out there chasing the ball — then you realise it’s the toughest workout of your life.
But playing in front of the whole community made every tired muscle worth it,” said Maxwell Kaka.
The final saw Cape St Francis Resort – buoyed by their very own “Resort Choir” and undeniable gees – take on Nexus in a tense showdown that ended 0–0 at full time.
A nail-biting penalty shootout followed, with Nexus finally slotting home the winning goal in the bottom left corner to claim the inaugural trophy, handcrafted and donated by local carpenter, Matt Smith. Celebrations carried on well into the evening.
Event supporter, Dionne Collett, Chair of St Francis Tourism, noted the wider impact: “It was wonderful to see the crowds out in full force, from the young to the elderly, supporting such a great initiative.
Events like these not only uplift our community but also showcase the spirit of St Francis, reminding visitors and locals alike that sport, togetherness and tourism go hand in hand.”
Adding his support, Richard Moolman, Owner of SUPERSPAR Village Square and Village on Main, remarked: “At SUPERSPAR Village Square and Village on Main, we believe soccer is more than a game – it builds community and educates our children through sport. The success of yesterday’s event shows the positive impact it can have in St Francis.”
The event also received strong backing from the Kouga Local Municipality, whose representatives attended the festivities and were “blown away” by the passion and community spirit on display.
Funds raised from the tournament will directly support Matt Davis’s Sea Vista Soccer Project and the ongoing maintenance of the Sea Vista Soccer facilities.
Davis, who has long championed soccer and surfing as a way to uplift the community, was widely acknowledged for his role in inspiring the event.
Reflecting on the significance of the day, local football tech veteran, Jason Anderson, co-founder of MYSAFA and a supporter of five FIFA World Cups, remarked: “I have seen a lot of football in my years in the industry, but the spirit on display in St Francis Bay yesterday was truly special. Seeing the entire community come together to participate in and support a first-year tournament was beautiful. The talent, the passion, and the sense of togetherness reminded us all why soccer is the beautiful game. I can’t wait to see what this develops into.”
With talk already underway of a March 2026 repeat showdown, the St Francis Bay Corporate 5-a-Side looks set to become a much-anticipated annual fixture – a celebration of sport, community, and the unique spirit of St Francis Bay.
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