List of Football Academy in South Africa and their Contact Details

Last Updated:
By Nandi Nkosi
Sports

In South Africa, many football academies offer standard development programs and training to young ones, nurturing them into football stars. They have facilities that are solely established for the development of young footballers. Thus, the training focuses on enhancing the playing skills of talented young footballers who have passed the football trials organized by the academies.

And the development programs offered by the academies improve the players’ performance to meet specific standards of football clubs. Nowadays, many football clubs in South Africa have established football academies where they teach young players how to play soccer and develop them into first-team players.

When they must have finally groomed the players, bringing out the best in them, they will attain financial value in the transfer market. They will start making money for the clubs through transfers to other football clubs. Not only is a football academy beneficial to young footballers, but it also adds tremendous value to football clubs.

10 Best Football Academy in South Africa

Even though there are numerous facilities where young footballers get developed in South Africa, quite a few are well-known for their high-quality development programs and training. Among the best football academies, the ten most sought-after academies have gained a reputation for their excellent works.

  • One10sport Football Academy
  • Stars of Africa Football Academy
  • Prestige Football Development
  • Ubuntu Football Academy
  • BSI Football Academy
  • Venda Football Academy
  • Rekaofela Football Academy
  • SuperSport United Football Academy
  • African Brothers Football Academy
  • Young Bafana Soccer Academy

1. One10sport Football Academy

As a top-best football academy in South Africa, One10sport Football Academy uses structured, innovative, and vibrant approaches to develop players of all skill levels. The academy has a perfect environment that aids young footballers’ progress in soccer playing. They also have UEFA accredited coaches who oversee the training of young talents.

One10sport coaches are mentored based on the UEFA and Scottish FA best practices to ensure that the academy players receive the best coaching needed for their skill development. As a result of the academy’s quality coaching techniques and supportive environment, the football training institution has gained huge popularity in the country. At the facility, there are development programs for U3 to Seniors (19 years old).

The Under-7 (U7) and older play in the Cape Town Local Football Association League and compete in the Cape Town LFA Knock-out Cup. While the academy focuses on developing and improving the playing abilities of the (U7-U16) players, they enroll Under-17 (U17) and older in the Performance Program. This helps them create competitive players that can easily progress in professional football.

One10sport Registration and Membership Fees

One10sport welcomes players of all skill levels to the facility. Those that have attended a trial session at the facility and want to be part of the academy can register on their website by completing an online registration and indemnity form. Then the membership fees are as follows:

  • Once off membership fee – R350
  • Termly training fee – R1650 (it can be paid in three installments of R550)
  • Official academy kit price: R650

One10sport Training Days and Time

Players Days Time
U3 & U4 Wednesday 15:00 – 16:00
U5 & U6 Wednesday 16:00 – 17:00
U7, U8, U9, & U10 Wednesday & Friday 16:00 – 17:30
U11 & U12 Wednesday & Friday 16:00 – 18:00
U13 & U14 Tuesday & Thursday 16:00 – 18:00
U15 & U16 Monday 17:00 – 18:00
Tuesday & Thursday 16:00 – 18:00
U17 & U18 Monday 17:00 – 18:00
Wednesday & Friday 16:00 – 18:00
Seniors (19 years+) Monday 18:00 – 19:00
Tuesday & Thursday 18:00 – 20:00

2. Stars of Africa Football Academy

Another football development institution well-recognized for providing high-quality programs is the Stars of Africa Football Academy. It was established in 2003 and is fully committed to developing young footballers, including enhancing their superlative skills. The facility boasts a qualified and highly skilled technical team that consistently maintains a high standard of training.

Their program of excellence, which aims to groom professional level players, majorly relies on the following:

  • Evaluation and skills development
  • Match preparation and play
  • Monitoring and match play

Stars of Africa strives to become a leading force in youth development and coach education in South Africa and beyond. Hence, the academy focuses on taking soccer games to the next level by providing players with quality skill instruction, a good education, social expansion, and quality of life that will enable them to make exploits in their future careers as professional footballers.

Having been fully committed to the holistic development of young football players, Stars of Africa works on establishing development centers in schools and communities across Mzansi. The academy also offers coaching programs and life skills programs that aid in social development. More so, it is useful in the discovery of raw talent.

3. Prestige Football Development Academy

In Prestige Football Development Academy, young people do not only get trained in football but are educated about the world around them. The facility was launched in 2012 and has been passionate about fostering youth’s contribution to the world of football.

Though established in 2012, it took the academy two years to join the Jowest local football leagues (Jowest LFA). Since then, its team has attained top spots in the super league and under-17 league. Prestige Football Academy has, over the years, been heavily involved in scouting underprivileged talented youngsters from around the country.

They skillfully train them to pass the selections of big football clubs where they can emerge as professional players. The Academy achieves this by allowing young footballers to prepare and improve their playing skills for potential transfer to professional clubs in Africa and Europe.

No wonder dozens of young people who have attended the development academy are now playing at the highest level in African and European football clubs. Their top-notch facility enables players to train in good condition.

4. Ubuntu Football Academy

Founded by Casy Prince and Michael Jenkins, Ubuntu Football Academy was established in 2011. The academy offers holistic mentorship and education to young players (12 – 18 years old) over six years. They achieve this by providing high standard soccer training, mentorship and leadership training, and quality education through its independent school.

Through partnerships with Fish Hoek Association Football Club and Sun Valley Group of Schools for Boys Education, the football academy has emerged as one of the best football academies in South Africa. Over the last years, Ubuntu Football Academy has presented young players with exciting opportunities in professional football and full university scholarships, and local jobs.

Three years after its launch, Ubuntu clinched its first Super League Championship. After a merger with ASD in 2015, the academy produced the first-ever player to join the U-17 National Team, in the person of Luke Fleurs. Later in 2018, the football academy saw more success as one of its graduate players signed with Ubuntu Cape Town FC.

That same year, Luke Fleur signed with Premier Soccer League club SuperSport FC in Pretoria. The academy further sent seven players to the United States for prep school, college, and football. In 2019, Ubuntu Football Academy Under 18 team won the ENGEN Championship.

Ubuntu Football Academy Trial

Every year in October, Ubuntu Football Academy hosts trials for Under 8 to Under 12 to recruit the best talents into the facility. The trials span several weeks and include various forms of football and academic assessments. The young players who are selected after a rigorous process will be invited to enroll in either the academy’s Football Forward Programme or the U12 Academy Team.

Ubuntu Football Academy Skills Schools

Ubuntu Football Academy Skills Schools are located in three different sites around Cape Town. The skills school is another name for the football academy’s private coaching programs for football players between ages 7 and 12.

Focusing on the high-performance development of the young players, the academy partners with football clubs and communities to organize the program for boys and girls at all skill levels. The registration fee is R500, and the registration form is available on the Ubuntu Football Academy website.

The skills schools locations are:

  • Groote Schuur High School in Southern Suburbs
  • Northwood Primary School in Mitchells Plain
  • Portuguese Club Milnerton

5. BSI Football Academy

  • Address: Club Street, Huddle Park Golf & Recreation, Linksfield, 2192, Gauteng
  • Phone number: +27 (0) 11 485 1067 / 1068
  • Email address: [email protected]
  • Website: www.bsisports.com

To take the football game to the next level, BSI Football Academy was established in South Africa. The Balderstone family owns BSI Sports Academies, and they have been involved in the professional sport since 1958. The academy’s focus is to provide an environment of excellence that encourages the development and training of young football players to become champions in the sport.

As a result, the technical director of BSI Football Academy is a UEFA Pro Licensed coach named Zeca Marques. He holds the highest coaching qualification available worldwide. To ensure that the players are trained as professionals, he often visits Europe to learn and interact with leading coaches.

The facility is modeled after Europe’s leading football academies. Consequently, it has encountered tremendous success in developing talented and hardworking players. Through a network of highly qualified coaches, the development programs offered by BSI Football Academy have aided in creating international pathways for young footballers to fulfill their football playing ambitions. The programs include:

Junior Development Programme (Under 8 – Under 13)

The junior development program provided by BSI Football Academy is designed to equip young aspiring football players with the best professional training. The program is age-specific, and it helps develop well-rounded players for long-term success in life and on the field by combining football training and an athletic development program.

The venue for the program is the BSI Football Campus in Modderfontein, Johannesburg. Football training sessions for the program involve three weekday afternoon training. The BSI football junior teams play weekend fixtures during the annual football season. The contact email address for interested players is:

Youth Development Programme (Under 14 – Under 19)

The BSI Football youth development program is created and managed by BSI Football Academy’s technical director, Zeca Marques. The program is full-time and combines athletic development with professional football training. It also includes a quality high school education.

The training takes place at BSI Football structured and disciplined environment – the academy’s exclusive campus located in Modderfontein, Johannesburg. The program, which is specifically created for young people between grade 8 and grade 12, enables them to reach their full potential as a footballer. The training sessions hold in the morning and afternoon time and include the following:

  • Football training
  • Athletic development
  • Mental training
  • Tactical training
  • Sports science testing
  • Football theory
  • Media training
  • Life skills training

The registration fee for the BSI Football Academy youth development program is:

  • R100,000 plus

Elite Development Programme (Under 23)

The elite development program is specifically for young people who have completed high school education and have decided to pursue a full-time playing career in football. It provides Under 23 footballers with professional football training and development.

Players with sufficient standards and attitudes are provided with local and international playing opportunities. To enhance the performance of the players to a strong level that can transition them into professional footballers, the elite development program includes:

  • High levels of technical training,
  • Tactical Training, and
  • Fitness training

The registration fees are as follows:

  • Elite development program full academy year: R50,000
  • Six months programme: R35,000
  • Three months program: R20,000

Girls Programme (Full-time)

In collaboration with JVW Girls Football, BSI Football Academy offers a full-time girls’ football program. The program comprises high-performance football training and high school education. The BSI Study Centre provides the high school education aspect of the program.

This promotes the growth of girls’ football by preparing the most promising young footballers in the nation for international careers. The football training takes place five days a week and is overseen by JVW’s specialist female coaching team. The youngsters are allowed to play for JVW Football Club, and additional services are provided to them through BSI’s sports science department.

Goalkeeping Coaching Programme

In addition to providing football training to young players, BSI Football Academy offers a professional goalkeeping coaching program at the academy. Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Shuaib Walters oversees the program. For more details, interested candidates should contact BSI Goalkeeping academy via the email address listed below:

6. Venda Football Academy

Located in Venda, South Africa, Venda Football Academy was previously known as Cape Umoya United. The football club was purchased by mining magnate Robinson Ramaite in mid-2021. The businessman, who serves as the chairman of Wescoal Holdings, bought the club and relocated it to Venda, renaming it Venda Football Academy.

The academy now has development programs for young footballers, and it grooms them to become eligible to play professional football. Before being sold, the Cape Umoya United team played in the South African Football Association (SAFA) Second Division, also known as the ABC Motsepe League.

It was founded in 2018 and played home games at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. Currently, Venda Football Academy plays in the National First Division. It moved to the division at the start of the 2021/22 season. The Venda-based academy’s football ground is Thohoyandou Stadium.

7. Rekaofela Football Academy

Based in Pretoria, Rekaofela Football Academy ranks among the best football academies in the country. The academy focuses on the recruitment and development of young football talents. It has highly qualified coaches that have, over the years, produced players who are presently signed with PSL development teams, including Sundowns.

The coaches have undergone FIFA licensed training and aim to nurture the skills of young footballers, mainly the U13s, U15s, and U17s. As a grassroots football academy, Rekaofela trains and develops football talents and then sends them to the development teams of top-flight clubs.

8. SuperSport United Football Club Development Academy

PSL club SuperSport FC has more than 20 soccer schools across South Africa. The club established its football development academy in the year 2000. The main objective of the academy is to help young aspirant football professionals to maximize their football playing potential.

They ensure that the young footballers are developed into well-disciplined individuals with a sound education to fall back on if they fail to pursue a full-time career in football. SuperSport Football Development Academy develops footballers aged 12 years and older by preparing them for the demands of professional football and modern-day life.

At the academy, young players enjoy free formal education, life skills education, and access to world-class training and medical facilities. In addition to trials, the highly-rated football academy in South Africa scouts their players around the country through the South African Football Association (SAFA) and SAFA friendlies, league matches, and tournaments.

Interestingly, after graduating from the academy, these players are promoted to the club’s senior team if they meet the talent criteria. The academy also prides itself on international partnerships that have seen its players sign with European clubs. This includes the likes of Bongani Khumalo, who was signed by the English Premiership side, Tottenham Hotspur FC.

There is also a partnership with the football academy and Stellenbosch University, whereby the university offers scholarships to players aged 18 to 20 who desire to further their education while playing football.

SuperSport Football Development Academy recently formed a new partnership known as SuperSport United Soccer Schools (SSUSS). Previously, the academy had only U13 to U19 teams, but through the partnership, they have created U8 to Multichoice Diski Challenge (MDC) level.

List of SuperSport United Soccer Schools across South Africa by Province

Gauteng

SuperSport United Soccer Schools Physical Address / Phone Numbers
SSUSS Balfour Corner Athol and Johannesburg Roads, Highlands North, Athol, Johannesburg; +27 082 416 1769
SSUSS Bedfordview 101 Van Buuren Road, Bedfordview, Johannesburg; +27 (0) 82 549 3515
SSUSS Dainfern The Junxion Centre – Corner William Nicol & Osprey Drive, Dainfern Sandton; 082 537 9407
SSUSS Fourways Rustice Timber Centre, Witkoppen Road, Fourways; 082 537 9407
SSUSS Huddle Park 39 Club Street, Linksfield, Johannesburg; 084 402 2022
SSUSS Pretoria East Menlyn Mall Rooftop 7th Floor (Fives Football); 079 254 9355
SSUSS The South Rietvlei Soccer Park 101 Swartkoppies Road, Alberton, Johannesburg; +27 084 580 6661
SSUSS Woodhill Woodhill College, De Villebois Mareuli Drive, Pretoria East; 079 254 9355
SSUSS Ruimsig Ruimsig Country Club Hole in One Road, Ruimsig; +27 (0) 82 569 4841
SSUSS Sandton Bryneven Primary School, Cnr Ballyclaire and Ballina Roads, Bryanston, Johannesburg;

KwaZulu-Natal

SSUSS Cornubia Cornubia Mall, Flanders and Tacoma Drive, Blackburn Estate, Mount Edgecombe, Durban; +27 081 257 3962
SSUSS Uvongo Douglas Mitchell Sports Fields, Smuts Avenue, Uvongo; 082 051 6917

Western Cape

SSUSS Southern Suburbs UCT Kopano Astroturf, Cnr Cecil Road, and Chapel Road, Newlands; +27 082 670 8128
SSUSS Garden Route Rooi River Country Club, 1 Barkhuizen Drive, George; 083 227 6852, 082 798 7323

Free State

SSUSS Bloemfontein Flavius Mareka College Football Facility, Cnr Hertzog & Fraser Street, Sasolburg; 0812573962

Mpumalanga

SSUSS Middelburg Arestea crescent, 84 Robertlandgoed estate, Middleburg; +27 083 273 7551
SSUSS Nelspruit Mbombela Corner, Matsafeni and Bafana Street, Mataffin, Nelspruit; 079 184 2327

Titles won by the SuperSport Football Academy’s U19 team include:

  •  2019 Pirates Cup Championship
  • 2017 Bayhill Championship
  • 2016 Metropolitan Premier Cup Championship
  • 2014 Engen Knockout Championship

9. African Brothers Football Academy

  • Address: Gardens Commercial High School Fields, Breda Street, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001
  • Postal address: P. O. Box 2000, Cape Town, 8000
  • Phone number: +27 72 425 5983
  • Email address: [email protected]
  • Website: www.africanbrothers.co.za

A top-notch football academy in South Africa, African Brothers Football Academy is committed to developing young people, schools, and the unification of the communities. It was established in 1996 by Siphiwe Cele and Craig Hepburn and is registered with the Hout Bay Football Association.

The academy strives to provide a conducive environment for footballers of all ages and gender to use their free time, six days a week, to receive football education and training. Amongst its aim is the provision of coaching and training equipment for football players of all ages and providing and operating excellent football training facilities.

In the past years, African Brothers Football Academy has improved school sports facilities in South Africa and equally developed football programs, empowering youth through football. The academy boasts over 200 members and aims to become one of the largest self-sustaining football training centers in Southern Africa.

10. Young Bafana Soccer Academy

With six teams and over 170 children aged 6 to 18 years old, Young Bafana Soccer Academy offers development programs through soccer training and education to children who aspire to have a professional career in football. It was founded in 2010 by Bernd Steinhage and is located at Radloff Park, Somerset West. The goals of the football academy include:

  • Combining education and sports training with a periodic plan that monitors the development and progress of the players daily
  • Educating the players on the necessary life skills (social and educational)
  • Inculcating social values in the children such as team spirit, discipline, and respect
  • Discovering well talented and disciplined players who harbor a passion for playing football
  • Building a multicultural team that would positively impact the world

The soccer academy is divided into two sections: the performance teams and the social teams. The performance team are U12, U14, and U16 players who reside in South African townships and are given full scholarships to Young Bafana Soccer Academy. The scholarship packages include the academy’s kit for games and practice, transport and educational support, and meal packages after each training session.

On the other hand, Young Bafana’s social teams are players between 5 and 14 years old who enrolled in a paid soccer program. They participate in regular football events, competing with the performance team. All the players at the academy are mandated to be part of the education program. As a result, the academy finds job opportunities and career paths for players aged 16 years and older.

Recap of the Best Football Academy in South Africa
  1. One10sport Football Academy
  2. Stars of Africa Football Academy
  3. Prestige Football Development Academy
  4. Ubuntu Football Academy
  5. BSI Football Academy
  6. Venda Football Academy
  7. Rekaofela Football Academy
  8. SuperSport United Football Academy
  9. African Brothers Football Academy
  10. Young Bafana Soccer Academy

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