Varsity Football had the opportunity to sit down with Wits goalkeeper Brylon Petersen. Petersen has already put in two Man of the Match performances this season for Wits, whilst being on trial at Kaizer Chiefs. He is currently in his third year of mechanical engineering at Wits, but still very determined to make his dream of becoming a footballer come true.
“I grew up in a football-orientated family; both of my grandfathers were known for football in Pietermaritzburg,” said Petersen. “This obviously had an effect on me as I spent time with them and even though my father didn’t play football himself, both my older brother Brice and I have excelled in their careers, with him having been given the opportunity to trial in England with Leicester City and West Ham before being ruled out with an injury.”
Growing up, Petersen was a defender, but at the age of 11 he took it upon himself to play keeper when a side he was playing for didn’t have one. And he never looked back.
“It was natural almost,” he said. “And I owe it all to Brice for the achievements and milestones I’ve accomplished. Growing up I didn’t have a goalkeeper coach for many years but he took it upon himself to develop me I’m any way that he could before he left for his England trial.”
With the help of his brother, Petersen was playing in the SABS Castle League at the age of 15, in the same team that his brother captained. At the age of 16 he had won the Castle League and promotion to the Vodacom League at the same time. From there he endured trial periods with Kaizer Chiefs and Maritzburg United before leaving PMB in 2014 to attend Wits.
“The trial at Kaizer Chiefs is a mind-blowing experience,” said the young shot-stopper. “Although I’ve been there before, twice, it is completely different in terms of training and coaching. Because most of the players remember me it’s been easy to feel comfortable and relaxed and this allows me to perform at my highest level.”
Petersen’s highlight of the Chiefs trial was their preseason camp, with the team. There he realised the amount of work needed to put in, in order to make his dream a reality and he’s been working harder each day, to to attain that first team status.
“Training with the likes of Khune, Khuzwayo and under coach Brian and coach Alex really brings out the best in my abilities, as they are one of the best goalkeeping departments in the country,” said Petersen. “And it’s always beneficial learning from the best.”
Currently in his third year of mechanical engineering at Wits, Brylon still balances his schoolwork and football well because he feels education plays a vital role in his game.
“It all boils down to discipline and priorities. I’m determined to change the mindset of South African footballers and people in the football profession, young and old, as the current impression in SA is that you can’t study and play professional football at the same time. I believe education is important in football as it enhances your ability and aids you in understanding things that coaches explain. It enhances your ability to take instructions, but most importantly it enhances your ability to apply these instructions in the most beneficial way possible. That is one of my main goals – I want to achieve my degree while plying my trade as a professional footballer to prove it’s possible. This keeps me driven as well.”
Petersen sees Varsity Football as a place to apply the things he learns every week in training at Kaizer Chiefs. “Varsity Football is a perfect platform to apply the knowledge I gain and to try new things that are game-oriented and I thank Wits for the privilege of being able to do so under them.”
When asked about his long-term goals, Petersen had this to say: “In five years time I see myself with my degree, while being a contender for a starting 11 position. I feel as if five years of learning and soaking up knowledge, while applying it when I can is more than enough time to mould myself into a force in the goalkeeping department. I obviously would like to have a few Bafana caps to my name as well; always a dream to represent my country on that level.”
An overseas contract, preferably in England, is one way Petersen would love to follow in his brother’s footsteps. But he is fully aware that hard work, discipline and sacrifice is needed. And then there’s always the goal of keeping your family proud.
“With my family moving to Joburg recently I’ve had immense support from everyone, even my younger brother, who constantly told me that I motivate him to work towards his dreams,” said Petersen. “It’s emotional, but it’s so motivating seeing the people close to you, proud of you and above all things, this is the one thing that keeps me going. I do it for them, for Brice especially. I’m living our dream; one he was close to achieving, and a dream that I am close to achieving because of him. There’s nothing I want more than to leave a legacy and for people to remember the Petersen name.”
It’s quite clear our goalkeeping department is in good hands in South Africa, with the likes of Brylon looking to change the outlook on local footballers. He will definitely be one to look out for in future as possibly another Varsity Football graduate to grace the PSL and perhaps even go on to fly the flag in England.
By Sifiso Nyawo
The post Wits goalkeeper on trial with Kaizer Chiefs looks to engineer a path to professional football appeared first on Varsity Sports SA.