User:Dean879

About Daniel Koopowitz

I had lived in Johannesburg, South Africa all my life until I moved to the United Kingdom in August 2010. Moving to the UK was probably the most drastic and most difficult change I will ever have to (hopefully) undergo in my life. Overtime, I learnt and understood that living here has opened so many doors for countless opportunities in every field of life, regarding academics, sport, friends and my future career. Furthermore, being given the privilege to attend an international school has given me the chance to meet many people from all walks of life and to share my culture with their own. It has made me a better person today.

School has never been a major obstacle in my life. I am very mature and responsible and I have always managed to complete whatever it is I need to do to the best of my ability. Throughout my school years in South Africa I had been greatly rewarded for my grades. In my final year of Primary School (Grade 7) I received seven distinctions (80% or above) in the twelve subjects I took that year. Unfortunately I was unable to complete my first year of high school (Grade 8), as I had to move to the UK. Adapting to life at an international school has been nothing short of a challenge but I have taken great pride, dedication and enjoyment in succeeding and being the best I can be in this environment. For example, what I have found a huge struggle is the grading system. I have worked extremely hard to understand the criteria and what is expected of me to achieve top marks and I am proud to say I have been rewarded, of late, in this respect.

Throughout my entire life I have always been an active, sporty person, in fact many people I know would refer to me as that guy who is good at soccer. Growing up I took part in soccer, tennis, cricket and athletics. I represented Johannesburg Far North in cricket for a few years as well as Central Gauteng in Action cricket at U11 level. I would definitely say my biggest passion is soccer or as it is known in the UK, football. I gave up all my other sports to pursue my love in football. Over the years I have received many awards in this regard which I am no less than ecstatic about. I have represented Southern Gauteng as captain at U10 level and vice captain at U11 level. I have been fortunate enough to represent my old club (Balfour Alexandra FC) in overseas tournaments such as the Gothia Cup in Sweden at U11 level and a European Championship tournament in Belgium at U13 level. I have also received multiple awards at the club itself. Player of the Season for 2008, 2009 and 2010 as well as Junior Player of the Year (age groups 12-14) in 2009 at U13 level. I have also contributed to my community here in the UK by playing football and being selected for the Varsity team to play at an ISSA tournament for international schools in Barcelona, Spain in November 2010.

Although I have been plagued by countless knee injuries and undergone four knee operations from April 2010 to September 2011, I have shown great courage, will and determination to bounce back and play the sport I love. This attitude has continued to show and guide me through many parts of life. As well as having these attributes, I am kind, compassionate and unselfish. I have always looked for ways in which I can give back to my community. I have visited numerous orphanages in Soweto, Johannesburg to play and accompany the children as best I can. I have also donated my old clothes, shoes and toys to the less fortunate and helped collect food for these people too. I am delighted to say that I have never had a change of heart about matters such as these and I am honored to be joining some peers from my school on a school trip to Kenya this October to help make renovations at a school called Bingwa Primary School. I have always wanted to make a difference in all aspects of life.