We concluded the year 2024 with a memorable closing ceremony, celebrating our achievements together as a family.
On Saturday, December 7, following our regular training sessions, the APAA Academy held its annual closing ceremony. The day was dedicated to family, fun, and recognizing the incredible successes of our players.
The event celebrated several accomplishments:
• U10 Team: Finalists of the Greater Mayfair Cup, receiving a silver medal and trophy.
• Reserve Team: Also finalists, earning a silver medal and trophy.
• Development Teams: Recognized for their outstanding performance this year:
• U13: Bronze medal (3rd place)
• U14: Gold medal (champions)
• U15: Silver medal (2nd place)
• U17: Silver medal (2nd place)
Additionally, our academy players were presented with their technical evaluations and Merit Certificates in recognition of their hard work throughout the year.
A special moment of the day was the graduation of several players from our development program. We are particularly proud of our former APAA player, Siphamandla Msezane, who now plays for Orlando Pirates DDC. His journey is a testament to the success of our academy, and we couldn’t be prouder.
The celebration also included fun activities, such as a friendly 6-a-side match between parents and APAA coaches. Many thanks to Manhoj and his team for adding vibrancy to the event, with special mention to the DJ for keeping the energy alive throughout the ceremony.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my family: my wife, my children Gabriela and Augusto Jr., and my grandchildren Alessandro, Mariella, Santiago, and Adriano, for their presence and support. A big thank you to our administrator Ricardo and my nephew Jhonathan for their hard work and collaboration, as well as to the entire APAA family who joined us on this special day.
Lastly, I extend my deepest appreciation to the coaching staff for their dedication throughout the year. Your commitment to developing our players is the foundation of our academy’s success. To the players and their families, thank you for your unwavering support, without which none of this would be possible.
Every year, we strive to achieve our goals of elevating players to the next level, and in doing so, we aim to support and empower each family within our academy. With the presence and blessings of God, we continue to grow and succeed together.
Thank you to everyone who has followed and supported APAA’s journey this year. Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on another successful year in 2024.
Yours in service,
Prof. Augusto Palacios
Director, APAA
