Premier Skills in South Africa

Premier Skills in South Africa

In South Africa, Premier Skills has helped to address the country’s lack of qualified grassroots football coaches and referees, whilst tackling key social issues and supporting thousands of disadvantaged young people.

Expert training sessions have built the capacity of community coaches across the country, 'leading to an increase in the number of coaches acquiring coaching licenses from the South African Football Association. Combining both professional and life skills, these sessions create new employability opportunities for coaches and equip them with the confidence to become role models in their local communities.

At the same time, Premier Skills works with local non-governmental organisations on initiatives that address the needs of vulnerable young people and disadvantaged communities, with a focus on increasing female participation in football, at both coach and player levels.

Since 2017, the pilot International Enterprise Programme, adapted from the successful Premier League Enterprise initiative, has helped to develop the employability skills of disadvantaged young people with the support of local clubs SuperSport and Cape Town Spurs.

Premier Skills is so much more than a programme that teaches community coaches about football; it also tackles social and personal issues.
Liezl, Premier Skills Coach Educator, South Africa

Reach

  • 2,198 grassroots coaches and referees trained
  • 17,668 young people engaged through inclusive community football projects
  • 51 per cent female participation on community football projects for young people run by Premier Skills coaches and referees

I want to continue the give back in my community, to be part of the development of football, and to concentrate on women's football.
Liezl, Premier Skills Coach Educator, South Africa

Key partnerships

  • SuperSport
  • Cape Town Spurs
  • Bidvest Wits FC
  • South African Football Association
  • Amandla Edufootball

 

Group content

In South Africa, Premier Skills community coaches have reached an impressive 3,556 young people through community projects in two years, over half of whom were young women and girls.