After three days of intense youth soccer, 72 teams advanced to compete across four sections for cup glory.
Teams progressed based on points, goal difference, goals scored, and potential penalty shoot-outs.
The Bayview Youth Cup, now in its 11th year, expanded from 16 teams initially to 72, showcasing youth talent in South Africa with advanced tournament management technology.
After three intense days of youth soccer action, 72 teams were reduced to 64 to vie for cup glory in four sections.
With teams giving their all over three group matches each in the round-robin play-offs, their fates will be ranked by greatest number of points, goal difference, most number of goals scored and a head-to-head penalty shoot-out, should there still be no separation.
The 16 overall log finishers across the 18 groups will go into the Platinum Section, followed by next 16 in the Gold, third place in the Silver and fourth place in the Bronze section making up 64 teams. First games of these matches were played from Thursday, with finals taking place on Saturday 22 June (read more on page 12). The last eight finishers in the Platinum section also played the Wagiet Memorial Cup.
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Tournament director and Bayview Club chair Mark Rodrigues says the expansion of the tournament is a testament of the talent of the youth.
“With the start of the 2024 Youth Cup, we have 72 teams that will play for the main prize of R15 000. We have seen our tournament grow from 16 teams in the first tournament to 72 teams in the 11 years. The Bayview Youth Cup has set the (standard) in youth soccer in South Africa. We use the most advanced technologies in registrations, goal scoring and time management in soccer,” he says.
With planning for the 12th edition already in the back of his mind, Rodrigues hopes to grow the tournament even further.
“From myself, the executive and Bayview family, we would like to say thank you to all our partners who have seen this vision with us. Without your assistance we would have never come so far. Our youth really appreciates what you do for them.”
Prizes
More than R50 000 in prizes were up for grabs.
Platinum section winners will receive R15 000, a custom made 20-man soccer kit to the value of R5 000 sponsored by JD Designs, a floating Bayview Cup, Keepsake Trophy and 25 gold medals.
Runners up will receive R6 500, a soccer kit, keepsake trophy and 25 medals.
Gold Section winners receive R4 000, a keepsake trophy and 25 medals with runners up receiving R3 500, a trophy and medals.
Silver Section winners receive R3 000 with a trophy and medals, and R2 500 with a trophy and medals to the runners up.
Bronze will receive R2 000, a trophy and medals with R1 500 to the runners up.
The winners of the Wagiet Memorial Cup will receive a custom made kit and medal.
