By Joshua Hendricks 

Shaan Blankenberg, a tough-tackling young defender from Elsies River, is on his way to Cape Town City from Hanover Park Football Club. 

“I’m really glad to be joining such a club,”’ Blankenberg tells Capeat6sport journalist Joshua Hendricks in his first language, Afrikaans. “It’s a great opportunity for me.”

At just seventeen years old, his contributions to Hanover Parks’ Bayhill team – including helping them reach the semi-finals, and playing an integral part in their promotion to the ABC Motsepe League Western Cape division –  have not gone unnoticed

Blankenberg, started his football career on the fields of Elsies River, close to his home, where he was soon drafted into LFA football and learned the basics of the game. 

“It all started with a coach that took us from just playing on a field to a club called Riverside Rangers in Elsies River,” Shaan recalls. “They are one of the best clubs in the Northern Suburbs, always competitive. They made a major contribution to my development.” 

Looking to elevate his football as well as provide more opportunities for himself, Blankenberg made the move to Hanover Park – after he spent a bit of time doing research on the history of the club, naturally.

“I found out about the great history behind Hanover Park and all it has achieved, like playing in the National First Division. All this was good for me.”

It was a critical move which further enhanced his game. 

“By playing at Downberg Road, I’ve gained such a lot of experience because I was surrounded by experienced players and former professionals. So playing for Hanover Park Football Club has really helped me a lot.” 

Now he is on the verge of finalising his move to the biggest club in the City of Cape Town, where he will further develop and tweak his abilities under the guidance of Coach Neven Payne, Byron Cottle and DStv Diski Coach Ian Taylor. 

“The move to Cape Town City is very interesting, and it’s a nice move going forward for me.”

And from there? Well, anything is possible.

“I look forward to possibly playing professional soccer one day, and this is a good step in that direction. So I’m just really glad and really happy.”

Edited by Nicklaus Kruger