SAB AND SAFA Recommit to developing grassroots football

The South African Breweries (SAB) and South African Football Association (SAFA) today marked an extension of their relationship to build further onto work to develop football at grassroots level in South Africa.

The agreement, finalised in the run-up to the SAB League National Championships taking place from 9 th to 13 July in Stellenbosch, is an extension and recommitment of SAB’s involvement in grassroots football development spanning 13 years as the title sponsor of SAFA’s most senior and largest development third division league, the SAB League.

“ SAB’s investment in football at grassroots level is entrenched in its conviction that socio-economic change can be brought to SA’s communities in this way. Football has a proven track record of playing a role in bringing positive change to people’s lives and to communities.

“Grassroots football development is also critical in securing a sustainable and strong future for South African football and SAB feels privileged to have the opportunity to work with SAFA in making a real difference at this level and to recommit to bringing social and economic change,” says Dr Vincent Maphai, SAB Executive Director Corporate Affairs and Transformation .

SAFA President, Kirsten Nematandani said SAB played a key role in the development of the game at grassroots level and this year’s launch coincides with SAFA having recently launched the under 13 and 15 leagues for both boys and girls. The leagues are the cornerstone of SAFA’s Technical Master Plan whose core objective is to aggressively drive the football developmental agenda countrywide.

“SAB is a true friend of football development and the extension of our (SAFA and SAB) relationship is good news for our youth because apart from fitting in well with our Technical Master Plan, this acquaintance will expedite grassroots football development across the country,” said the SAFA President.

“Our 2020 Vision is to have a Bafana Bafana side that is consistently among the top 3 in Africa and 20 in the world. If we push this agenda aggressively, this goal can easily be realised.”

Entrenching SAB’s commitment to grassroots football development in South Africa, the company introduced the new look of the SAB League, first known as the Castle League at the start of SAB’s involvement in 2000 and more recently as the SAB U21 Regional League.

Other than a new look and new name, the SAB League includes a Youth Diversion component in partnership with local NGO, Footballers4Life. The programme, which educates SAB League players participating in the SAB League National Championships in critical life skills, is facilitated by former local footballers.

Amongst others, the Youth Diversion Programme focuses on fulfilling players sporting potential, helping them to manage well-balanced and empowered lives and refraining from risky behavior, particularly irresponsible alcohol use. The objective is for them to become powerful influences amongst their peer and in their communities as agents of social changes and positive role models.

Skills transferred to the players during the two-day workshop, include computer skills (CV writing, financial management), insight into non-administrative football careers (physiotherapy, fitness training, sports psychology) and administrative careers (public relations, management) and an introduction to the Learners License course.

“We hope that the Youth Diversion Programme will offer players the opportunity to start each of them on a journey to becoming powerful influences amongst their peers and in their communities as agents of social changes and positive role models,” says Dr Maphai.

Meanwhile, the SAB League’s National Championships official public draw was held to determine the provincial team game schedule for the tournament taking place at van der Stel Stadium in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape beginning Tuesday, 9 th July and the final held on Saturday, 13th July.

- SAFA