South African Football Association
Sports Reporter
JOHANNESBURG – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has launched the Gauteng Development League, which will see over 20 academies battling against each other.
Some of the academies that will take part in the league launched in Johannesburg on Tuesday are Supersport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates, School of Excellence, Platinum Stars, Black Aces and Highlands Parks.
All the sides will compete in four divisions – U13, U15, U17 and U19.
SAFA Technical Director, Neil Tovey, said they are passionate about development.
This project speaks to us and is in line with SAFA’s Vision 2022, aiming to steer South Africa to a football powerhouse.
“We want this league to be the blueprint for other provinces so we can have stronger national teams,” said Tovey.
“This league will also help with proper scouting because this is where you will see the best talent on display so it is very important to us as an association,” added Tovey.
Initially, the league targeted PSL academies and the likes of Transnet School of Excellence and Rosina Sedibane. Last year, the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of Gauteng decided to widen the net by inviting even the non-PSL teams in order expand this magnificent programme.
“We didn’t want a situation where a team won 15-0 or so and think they are strong, we wanted them to compete equally. This project is bearing fruit because a majority of players in junior national teams come from this initiative,” said Willie Mooka, SAFA Gauteng Co-chairperson.
Some of the academies that will take part in the league launched in Johannesburg on Tuesday are Supersport United, Mamelodi Sundowns, Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates, School of Excellence, Platinum Stars, Black Aces and Highlands Parks.
All the sides will compete in four divisions – U13, U15, U17 and U19.
SAFA Technical Director, Neil Tovey, said they are passionate about development.
This project speaks to us and is in line with SAFA’s Vision 2022, aiming to steer South Africa to a football powerhouse.
“We want this league to be the blueprint for other provinces so we can have stronger national teams,” said Tovey.
“This league will also help with proper scouting because this is where you will see the best talent on display so it is very important to us as an association,” added Tovey.
Initially, the league targeted PSL academies and the likes of Transnet School of Excellence and Rosina Sedibane. Last year, the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) of Gauteng decided to widen the net by inviting even the non-PSL teams in order expand this magnificent programme.
“We didn’t want a situation where a team won 15-0 or so and think they are strong, we wanted them to compete equally. This project is bearing fruit because a majority of players in junior national teams come from this initiative,” said Willie Mooka, SAFA Gauteng Co-chairperson.
Guardian Sport