As part of Nike’s ongoing commitment to football in South Africa, the brand concluded the development of the football-specific training centre in Soweto last year. The facility allows young footballers from across Gauteng access to world-class coaching, equipment and skills development. As part of the offering, the athletes also have access to HIV/Aids awareness programmes as well as life skills, all within a football framework.
Nike have proactively led the way in youth development in South Africa through a series of programmes geared at enabling young footballers to improve their skill, both on and off the field. Through the brands association with core coaches including Shaun Bartlett, Eric Tinkler, Fani Madida and Roger de Sa, all of whom have all played football at the highest level, many young athletes have benefitted from the knowledge imparted and coaching opportunities.
The MUPC, which has become the leading premier youth tournament, not only in the country, but globally, and has seen several of the current generation of Bafana players emerge over the years including Siboniso Gaxa and Thulani Serero. Both participated in the MUPC when they were youngsters and this tournament has played a role in their development. MUPC exposes young players to the highest levels of competition in the under-15 age group, where they are competing against the best players from all around the country.
In addition to the local development programmes, Nike launch a global talent-search entitled ‘The Chance’ in July 2010. The Chance aimed to identify the best untapped athletes from around the world and offer them the opportunity to win one of eight places available at the Nike Academy in the United Kingdom which is supported by the English Premier League.
The local trials were held in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg with the top talent moving on to a second phase of trials in Johannesburg. Four South African youngsters were selected to represent the country at the global finals in the United Kingdom. South Africa duly impressed and Reyaad Pieterse and Jonathan King were chosen to receive one-year contracts at the Nike Academy.
Through many of the Nike-led programmes, many of our local football starts have been identified, which is proof that the model is successful. Players that have emerged from these programmes have been earmarked as future professionals by leading Premier Soccer League clubs. Nike’s commitment to enabling and inspiring young footballers has begun reaping rewards. As a brand Nike has not only championed the youth development cause, but has also played a proactive role and become a leader in giving the future footballers in South Africa the opportunities to take their talent to the next level.
