Byron Peters is leaving the family he loves to pursue the game he loves, as he was awarded a university scholarship to play soccer in the United States.

The 20-year-old star will board a plan on 10 August to make his way to the soccer fields and the classrooms of Tyler Junior College (TJC) in Tyler, Texas, with his sights set on transferring to Clayton State University (CSU) in Atlanta, Georgia.  The Diep River resident will spend a year at the junior college playing soccer and fulfilling the educational requirements for university athletes in the United States.

“I have to take some social studies classes to allow me to play at Clayton State, so my first stop will be Tyler, Texas.  I don’t really know what to expect but I just want to get there and start playing soccer and begin my international career,” said Byron.

Byron has had the privilege of playing soccer for some of the top coaches and in some of the top clubs.  He got his first start at the Wynberg St John’s FC and then moved on to Seven Stars Football Club which became known as Ajax.  From there, Byron joined FC Fortune and then moved on to Old Mutual Football Academy at age 16.  After choosing the Santos Football Club because it was closer to home, Byron was promoted to the Vodocom reserve team 2nd Division. 

His father, Tony Peters, explained how his son was introduced to the game that is taking him halfway around the world.

“When Byron was still little he could never sit still.  He was always breaking things in the house and climbing all over everything.  We put him in Boy Scouts and in karate but nothing changed.  When he was five we took him to his first soccer practice and that changed everything,” said Byron’s father. 

“One day, I would love to play for my favorite team, Manchester United, and this is just another step closer to my dream,” said Byron.

It was Byron’s cousin, Leighton Fredericks, one of the six South Africans and 11 international players who currently play for CSU, who told his coach about the athletic abilities of Byron.  The Peters were asked to send a DVD of Byron playing in various soccer matches and after watching the DVD, Coach Pete Petersen offered Byron a full scholarship to come play soccer.  Byron will continue studying Internet Technologies, and the scholarship will pay for all of Byron’s educational costs while at CSU.

Because of the educational requirements of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in America, Byron was forced to spend a year at TJC taking extra classes.  Unfortunately for Byron, the full scholarships to TJC were already guaranteed to other athletes leaving Byron with only a partial scholarship and the responsibility of paying the other half of his education that is more than R45 000.

The Peters have raised almost R20 000 through various fundraising efforts like golf outings and jazz concerts.  The Peters are continuing to try and raise the additional funds to help Byron reach his goals.  They are hoping to have another golf day on 23 August at Kuilsriver Golf Club and they will soon finalize the details for a family day at the soccer park.  The family day will include food, games and soccer matches that will include teams such as the Cape Town Legends, Mitchell’s Plain Legends, Mr Price Parker Vodocom and Mvella.

Byron’s parents continue to do everything they can to help their son realise his dreams, even though they know that their lives will change the day Byron boards the plane for the United States.

“When Byron leaves for the U.S the house is going to be quiet.  No more talk about soccer or what his favorite team needs to do to win.  It will just be quiet,” said Byron’s father.

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