The brothers behind Sevens Academy’s GDL success

Hidden within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is Edenvale, a small town on the East Rand, where brothers, Brendon Lohan and Storm Fox, have been hard at work developing the local football talent under the Sevens Academy flag.

Lohan, a former professional footballer, is now the chairman of the academy, and he has brought all of his knowledge, from on and off the pitch, to the club.

Fox, eight years younger than Lohan, coaches the u13 Sevens Academy team, which contests the Gauteng Development League (GDL).

This past weekend, when Sevens Academy handed Mamelodi Sundowns their first loss of the season in the under-19 division, thrashing the Brazilians 4-1 at Clapham High School, it became clear that the Edenvale-based team had finally acclimatised to the Gauteng Development League after making their bow at the start of the season.

The brothers’ passion and that of the staff and players saw Sevens Academy stun the league leaders. It was noticed, too, by the other GDL teams. None of them had managed to stop Sundowns in the league, but Sevens Academy had, emphatically.

Lohan’s story is inspiring, and he shared it on DStv Channel 216 last week, in the SuperSport Schools’ Football On 216 Show.

“The main reason I got into coaching is, when I played, I had a three weeks’ stint at (Moroka) Swallows when [manager] Gavin Hunt was still there, and after three weeks there, Gavin told me to go back but I wasn’t interested.

“I played for Highlands Park after that, when they were in the Vodacom League. I played there for a year and wasn’t interested (in continuing). I regret it. There are regrets,” Lohan admitted.

“I thought maybe I should get into coaching, help the kids realise that there’s the mental side of the game, not just the physical ability. That was the main reason I got into coaching, to try and help boys understand what it takes, because I know I threw part of it away and I have regrets.

“I don’t want kids to have the same regrets I have when they grow up.” he added.

However, the success of any club doesn’t start from the under-19 division. It begins at a younger level, with the u13s. That’s where Fox has made his mark with Sevens Academy.

With a passion for teaching youngsters football fundamentals, he has proven to be a perfect fit for the u13 age group, and his leadership has led to the success of the club’s youngest GDL team.

“I’ve always looked up to Brandon, as my older brother. Inevitably, I had to follow in his shoes. That’s why I took this role. I wanted to teach the boys the fundamentals,” he said.

“I think there’s a lot of youth who don’t understand the fundamentals of football. That’s the main reason I’ve stayed with the u13s since I joined the academy. That’s where my passion lies as far as the coaching side,” he explained.

With Sevens Academy having forced the rest of the GDL to sit up and take notice, they’ll be under the microscope as the season continues. But they’ll welcome that. It’s what happens when you’re successful.

RESULTS

Friday, 9 August

East Rand Athletic Club 0-2 Highlands Park 
Jomo Cosmos 1-0 Tuks
Kathorus Hyper Academy 1-0 SuperSport United
NWU Vaal 1-1 School of Excellence
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-4 Sevens Academy
Panorama 3-0 Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School
Randburg 2-3 RESA 

Sunday, 11 August

East Rand Athletic Club 1-0 School of Excellence
Sevens Academy 1-0 Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports School
SuperSport United 2-2 RESA
TS Galaxy 1-3 Randburg
Tuks 2-0 Panorama
Wits Junior 0-1 NWU Vaal
Highlands Park 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns 
Jomo Cosmos 1-2 Kaizer Chiefs