THE Real Dodgers soccer team were crowned the EP champions of the provincial Sporting Chance Kia Street Soccer project after defeating Veeplaas 1-0 in the final in Java Street in Zwide on Tuesday.
The Soweto-on-Sea under-13 side will represent the province at the national tournament in Johannesburg next month.
The five-a-side event has been taking place in various communities of the Nelson Mandela Bay region for the past five months.
Each team had five players on the field, but could make rolling substitutions.
Real Dodgers won a floating trophy and seven medals.
Dodgers coach Mthembu Diamond said the competition was tough and he had worked hard with his team to reach the final.
"My team comprises four boys and two girls and they all played a significant role to be winners," Diamond said. "All the players deserve the opportunity presented to them to represent the province at the national championship."
Diamond said the players were excited because they were defeated in the semifinals of the tournament last year. "I can't explain the way I feel at the moment because I'm very happy for them," he said.
"They liked my coaching skills."
Project co-ordinator Wonga Mashabane said the programme was established to keep the 2010 Fifa World Cup legacy alive.
"The tournament is about creating opportunities for these children, some of whom have never flown in an aeroplane," Mashabane said.
"We are trying to create friendship among the youth of the country."
Real Dodgers would meet the winning teams from all the provinces to determine the national champions.
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