PHOTO:
Taku Padiwa goes close

When Haverfordwest County development team entertained their counterparts from Aberystwyth at the Conygar Bridge Meadow Stadium recently the winning goal for the young Bluebirds came from 17 year old Taku Padiwa, their talented striker who doubles up by playing for Milford United in the first division of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire League first division.

Taku had come on as sub with the scores tied at 2-all when he picked the ball up on the right, sent his marker the wrong way with a little shimmy before he cut in to the edge of the penalty area, committed the keeper as he dummied to shoot, delayed a moment and then sent his low shot unerringly into the far corner.

It was a goal to grace any match and the delight shown by Taku's team-mates showed what they thought of his terrific strike.

Steve’s delighted by Taku’s involvement

Taku is one of the younger players in Steve Batty's squad and is currently utilised in general as an impact player, using his speed off the mark, high skill levels and determination to play a part for the good of the team.

Small wonder then that Steve should tell us,
"Taku has a fantastic attitude for a young man who is a very hard worker in training and a pleasure to coach because of his work ethic and understanding of the team's needs; but we do tease him for what we call 'Taku time' because he is invariably late, although he always has a reasonable excuse for his tardiness!"

The admiration is mutual because Taku told us,
"I have really been made very welcome by Steve and his assistant Ceri Phillips, plus all the players, and I enjoy travelling to all the different grounds around South Wales as we take on very experienced teams who are often physically strong and not afraid to use that physicality."

Gaining more game time and working hard for the team

Taku previously played for Haverfordwest County's under 15 team coached by Matthew Price and Bernard Steer before he started out in the under 16 squad with some game-time last campaign as the youngster in the development squad.

As he's gained in experience so Taku has had more involvement and his qualities include his speed off the mark, his resilience and the fact that he can run all day and has a natural nose for goals. 

It is also good to report that Taku is a natural team player who is more interested in the team performance and result, rather than his individual play.

Started out in Harare

Taku started out playing football as a small child in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, when he lived there with mum Mercy, whom he describes as a terrific supporter who has willingly taxied him to games and training until he recently passed his driving test and can now make his own way.

"All my friends loved football as much as I do," said Taku, "and we played in the street with coats as goalposts and matches that lasted for hours on end. There was only one football in our group and its owner was arguably the most popular member of our group!"

First organised football at Marble Hall

It was only when they came to this country to live that Taku began to play organised football at Marble Hall with Milford United's under 14 team coached by Andrew Burgoyne and Gary Jones, and was made very welcome as he took to competitive play like a duck to water - with his best total of five goals in one game against Clarbeston Road.

"We came runners-up in the under 15s league and at under 16 level we won the title as we fended off the challenge of our closest rivals Haverfordwest Cricket Club, Tenby and Prendergast Villa.”

Great involvement at Greenhill

Taku also plays football at Greenhill School in Tenby after being set on the right road by Mr Roberts, his then games teacher, joining talented players like Liam Cullen, now doing superbly at Swansea City and Young Bluebirds' team mate Fraser Findlay.

His sporting involvement at Greenhill now includes his role as a Gold Young Ambassador charged, alongside Katie Hicks, with the responsibility of encouraging those not keen on sport to find an activity that will encourage participation.

"I was asked to take on the role by Mr Phil Williams, who is a very good games teacher, and I had to go on a course in Cardiff for a whole day, which was very worthwhile since I now have to take on the challenge of promoting sporting activities for everyone."

“Mr Williams returned the compliment by telling us,
“Taku has been brilliant in his role and deserves every credit for it.”
High praise indeed from another gentleman of sport!

Senior football – and scoring goals

Back at Marble Hall, Taku has now made the step into senior football with The Robins' first team after a few games’ acclimatisation at the end of the previous season.

"It's a great experience playing at new grounds and I really enjoyed playing against Hakin United at The Obs, where we were level at 2-2 until the final moments when we gave away two goals.

"The crowd was very noisy but I enjoyed being involved - and although I didn't manage to score I have found the net few times, including two goals in a 5-3 defeat against Lamphey the day before I scored the winner against Aberystwyth."

And finally . . .

Ask Taku about ambitions and he is quick to separate them into two component parts, the first in football, where he is happy to just keep enjoying himself playing the game and just seeing where it takes him - and then professionally, where he hopes to go to university and perhaps study psychology.

It is typical of his analytical mind that he knows where he wants to go and is ready to work hard to achieve his ambitions.

There is no doubt that Taku Padiwa is a sensible, mature and modest young feller who has clear aims and objectives for his chosen sport and life in general - and we wish him every success in both because he is a credit to his family, club and sport!