The 2016/17 Bidvest Wits Young Player of the Season, Reeve Frosler, cut his soccer teeth in Port Elizabeth playing for Fairview Rovers Football Club which was established in 1935 in Fairview, Port Elizabeth.
As part of a footballing family, young Reeve began playing football at the young age of 5. His Father Selwyn, coached, Mother Melanie, convened and brother Ethan played. Reeve’s uncle, Dougie Williams originally from Salt Lake, Port Elizabeth has just been promoted to Head Coach at Millano United.
After being promoted from the Bidvest Academy the 19 year-old (born 11 January 1998) Reeve now plays for Bidvest Wits – the 2016/17 ABSA Premier Champions. He has come in for considerable interest after his 11 appearances for Bidvest Wits, in the South African Premier Division, along with Goal Magazine citing him in their Ten Most impressive Rookies list.
The young defender with Jersey no. 33, has represented the South African U17 (2014/15) and U20 (2016/17) national sides and is determined to represent the senior, Bafana Bafana, side to complete the unique treble.
After attending Triomf Primary School in Salsoneville, Frosler went on to attend Victoria Park High School. He has this advice for Northern Areas youngsters; “Soccer is a getaway from all those bad things like drugs, gangs and violence.” Frosler credits his family for the guidance and support that contributed to his success.
In fact his Mom, Melanie sounds a bit like me as when I asked her if Reeve would be available for chat or recovering from celebrations she said; “He had better have celebrated in the proper way” – a lesson for all youngsters there: Don’t disappoint your Mom. Melanie is most proud of her son and a credit to mom’s all over the world.
One of Reeve’s most memorable games was when the U11 Fairview Rovers played against arch rivals Glenville. His father Selwyn was the coach at the time and substituted Reeve from his centre back position to goal keeper in the dying minutes of the game which was at 0-0 and about to go to a penalty shoot out. Apparently this move upset the rival coach enough to make an impression on Reeve. But, the reason why it was memorable, was because of the saves made by Reeve in order for Fairview Rovers to win on penalties against Glenville.
A game that Reeve would like to forget is this season’s one against Free State Stars at Goble Park on 10 May 2017 when the Clever Boys lost 3-1.
On the agenda for the upcoming season is to get more playing time for the Clever Boys.
Who knows, maybe we will see this young Port Elizabeth talent get to play for Barcelona – a team whose style he admires along with Lionel Messi.
Potted Bio:
- Full Name: Reeve Frosler
- Date of birth: 11 January 1998
- Birth Place: Port Elizabeth, South African
- Position: Defence
- Joined Bidvest Wits: From Academy
- From which Club: Bidvest Wits Academy
- Jersey Number: 33
- Favourite Club: Manchester (other than Bidvest of course)
- Favourite Player: Lionel Messi
Editor: My thanks to Yazeed Le Roux for the heads up about Reeve’s achievement.
Yazeed informs me that Dougie Williams and his older brother, Trevor (Reeves uncles) were both provincial footballers pre-unification. Dougie played provincial baseball and Trevor was opening batsman for EP Schools. Reeve’s father, Selwyn was also handy with a bat and ball as he captained and opened the batting for EP Schools. Melanie was a provincial softballer and indoor cricketer whilst young Ethan captained the U14 EP Schools cricket team in 2015.
Reeve is in good company at Bidvest Wits as his uncle Dougie also played for Wits in the mid 1990’s with selection to the SA Students team which played in the Fukuoka University games in Japan.
Alan Straton
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