THE BOSS: Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt credits “fantastic” Witsies for filling the home stadium and creating a great atmosphere for the Clever Boys. Photo: Luke Matthews
The players of Bidvest Wits have been on a winning streak, having won three matches in a row this year. This can, in part, be attributed to the amazing support students’ shower on their team, according to the team’s dynamic and experienced coach.
“The students have been fantastic,” Gavin Hunt, the 49-year-old Bidvest Wits head coach who praised the students of the university for filling up stadiums with enthusiasm.
This helped to create a great atmosphere for recent home matches.
In an interview with Wits Vuvuzela on Tuesday, the six-foot tall coach praised Wits students for their support.
This, he felt, contributed to the form of the players. The team is now placed third on the log, with a game in hand. Saturday saw a 3-1 victory over fellow league chasers, Mamelodi Sundowns. The game was highlighted by an impressive debut by 18-year-old Tebogo Moerane.
However, Hunt still believes there is a lot of work to be done and football changes will happen slowly but surely in a controlled manner. Despite the attractive football played this season, Hunt said, “I have a way I like to play and it will take a little bit of time”.
Varsity Cup Football
When asked about Varsity Cup football, Hunt said it is a good vehicle for talent identification and promoting the game on campus. He added, “I feel the varsity team should be closer linked to Bidvest Wits”.
[pullquote]Bidvest Wits has one of the strongest youth development programs in the country.[/pullquote]
Hunt will be watching the Varsity Cup tournament looking to potential talent to invite to training. It is clear from his Supersport United days, where he won three consecutive Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles, that Hunt is passionate about youth development. Bidvest Wits has one of the strongest youth development programs in the country and when asked, Hunt said that bigger clubs don’t produce academy players because of their financial muscle to buy players.
However, he said, “clubs like ours; we have to do it through the youth”. Hunt said he sees the PSL as more of a development league and a good platform to give young players the opportunities to play. Witsies can look forward to their team doing well in the Nedbank Cup, says Hunt. Regarding the Clever Boys’ league aspirations, Hunt said, “Chiefs are going to have to explode, if anyone stands a chance, which I don’t see happening but anything is possible in football”.
Bidvest Wits’ next game is scheduled for the ninth of March, after the international break. The team will be looking to continue their three-match winning streak in an away game against Polokwane City.
Hunt, the man
Hunt seems to be ideally placed to lead Bidvest Wits, describing his life thus: “Football, football and sport.”
Sport is his passion, when he is not soccer coaching, he is playing golf off his two handicap. The member of the Modderfontein Golf Club, also likes to read widely on a variety of topics.
