“The experience of coming to the Village to meet the players is better than Xmas”, these were the words of seven-year-old Jared Smith from Benoni expressing his joy having joined about 15 children at the Club’s Village in Naturena last week.

The parents had written to the Marketing Team last year requesting the Club to offer their children an experience of meeting the Kaizer Chiefs playing squad.

Jared Smith said, “I started supporting Kaizer Chiefs in 2010 and they are the reason I chose football as my favourite sport at school. I play as a main striker and I would like to play here one day. I was so happy to meet the Coach (Vladimir Vermezovic). I am very happy today.

Jared’s father, Paul Smith (46) paid a glowing tribute to the Club for opening its doors to children describing the experience as ‘massive for children’; “The platform offers children an opportunity to see their stars at work and training hard. I have not seen the smile I saw from my son this morning as we were preparing to come here.

It is very important for children to know that it is not all about the televised game, but these people spend hours on the training ground working hard,” he said adding that the initiative will help the Club to connect with their supporters.

Mandy Wrench (46) who had also brought her son echoed the sentiments from Paul and said; “It is really a big experience for all the children that are here. My son is such a big fan and he will never forget this day in his life. A massive thank you to Kaizer Chiefs,”

The youngest of fans to come to the Village was the three-year-old, Unathi Bell; “I am here to watch football and to see Siphiwe Tshabalala,”

Unathi was accompanied by his father, Excellent Bell (25); “At home we are all Kaizer Chiefs fans and we all sit and watch games together including Unathi who is crazy about the Club.

“It is quite an experience for him to be here this morning and I am taking pictures that I am sure he will cherish for the rest of his entire life. Credit should go to Kaizer Chiefs for providing such an opportunity for the children who are here this morning,”

The children, including their parents, were given an opportunity to watch the training session as Head Coach Vladimir Vermezovic and the rest of the Technical Team took the team through their paces at Naturena.

Marketing Director, Jessica Motaung said to kaizerchiefs.comafter meeting the excited children; “We receive a lot of requests from parents and fans who want to come to the Village to watch training and meet and greet the players.

“It is not possible to accommodate all the requests and what we did this time was to collect all requests and invite the children to come on the same day to meet their stars. This is also one initiative to take the Club closer to the fans and we are delighted to have provided this platform,” she said.