Young Bafana Soccer Academy focuses on youth development
The Young Bafana Soccer Academy is making every day Universal Children's Day, empowering underprivileged youth between the ages of five and 19 from the Helderberg Basin, Gugulethu, Khayelitsha and Athlone through the provision of a safe environment in which to hone their soccer skills, along with educational, life skills and youth development programmes.
Founded in 2010 by Bernd Steinhage, the academy also tends to the childrens’ nutritional needs by supplying meals at each practice session. Plans are currently underway to enable the boys to obtain regular medical and dental check-ups.
“Our educational and soccer programmes are designed to help individuals develop holistically, learn about the importance of teamwork, build confidence, excel in school and keep active. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that each participant passes matric with an exemption so that they can potentially further their studies at tertiary educational institutions,” says Steinhage.
Essential tools and skills
The academy started out with eight participants and today has over 100. In addition to success on the soccer field, the academy’s benefits have revealed themselves in the beneficiaries’ school reports.
“We hope that each individual who graduates from the academy will be equipped with the essential tools and skills to help them become leaders who can make a positive contribution to society in general and in their own communities in particular,” says Steinhage.
The academy aspires to one day have its own facility comprising an AstroTurf soccer field, full size grass pitch and lodging. It also wishes to expand its corporate support base as it currently relies on a select few for funding.
To help the organisation with financial assistance, equipment, uniforms etc., go to www.youngbafana.com.
