#Ubuntu10Year: 2012

Words by Karl Ostrand, former Ubuntu coach and mentor

2012… year two of Ubuntu! Wow! This was really happening! I have to admit that as someone who was there at the beginning, I would often hear Mike and Casey tell me their grand visions of Ubuntu. Deep down I would hope that it would come to fruition, but also battled my American youth soccer experiences of doubt and questions. Before I go any further, I must say this: Mike and Casey taught me a valuable lesson that I still cling to today. If God gives you a vision and asks you to do the impossible… just obey. He’ll take care of the rest.

2012 for me was the beginning of seeing that reality. I joined Ubuntu in the beginning and left with our family due to medical issues for my daughter in 2015. Those years run together in my mind. There were ups and downs, but 2012 showed me that this thing called Ubuntu was really happening and would not be ending any time soon. In 2012 I coached the U14 team. My biggest memory of that year was winning the 1st league, which would promote us to the Super League the next season, as well as playing in the Strandfontein tournament.

But beyond football, the main thing that stood out to me was the sense of family that Ubuntu was becoming. It was more than just teammates and coaches—it was truly a family who cared for each other. We knew the struggles of each player and attempted to walk that road with them. Tons of car time to games and other events led way to conversations about life that were the foundation of relationships still real to me in a very special way. The football has been amazing at Ubuntu (and always will be) but the thing that separates Ubuntu from the others is the sense of true family that every player, coach, parent, volunteer and supporter know and feel when you are part of the Ubuntu family. I truly miss it every single day and consider myself Ubuntu family for life! That’s what I began to see in 2012. The foundation was being created that year and it’s the DNA of Ubuntu!