Help Hout Bay footballer get to Sweden

Presley Phillips from Hout Bay dreams of becoming a professional footballer one day, and it all starts with an opportunity in Sweden next year.

The 12-year-old Kronendal Primary School pupil has loved football since the age of four, encouraged by her father, Ricardo, who shared his passion for the sport with her daily.

"My dad was on a football field every day, and I used to go with him, and that is where it all started for me. That is where the passion for the sports began," Presley said.

She was selected as part of the Camps Bay U16 girls team, who will be travelling to the prestigious Gothia Cup 2026, taking place in Gothenburg, Sweden. The tournament has already produced several football stars and kicks off in July next year.

The Gothia Cup is an international youth tournament organised by professional football club BK Häcken, which has been held annually since 1975 in Gothenburg. It is considered the biggest tournament in the world in terms of participating teams, with competing youth teams throughout the world entering the competition, making it Sweden's largest annual event. 

Presley's proud mother, Patricia, described her daughter as a "young, bright leader" who has an exciting opportunity.

"Presley has the passion and love for football since she was a toddler, and this opportunity can really help her future career and make her dream of becoming a footballer a reality," Patricia said.

Patricia explained that the tournament would also be able to help shape Presley to become a better player for her team.

Her father, Ricardo, is also a well-known footballer from Hout Bay, having represented Ajax back in his day and having worked with several of the community's footballing talents.

"This is a proud moment for me. To see my child walking in my footsteps, this is a feeling you can't describe. We are always going to be proud and push her in the right direction," Ricardo said.

The family has now launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise funds for her travel and accommodation, meals, tournament fees, kit, and gear.

Just last year, Hangberg's Marazoeq Booi also left to play in the Gateway to Madrid 2025 Soccer Tour to Spain, where he shone and made the Hout Bay community proud ("Help get this Booi to Madrid", Sentinel News, March 15, 2025).

For Presley, this is another opportunity for her to make the community as well as her parents proud.

"I want to make them proud and then push on further with my career in the sport," Presley said.

To contribute towards Presley's football dream, visit her BackaBuddy campaign at https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/presleyforthegothiacup or contact her mother Patricia on 078 536 7337.