Young Bafana Soccer Academy

What Young Bafana Soccer Academy does

Young Bafana Soccer Academy is a South African non-profit organization (NGO) founded in 2010 by Bernd Steinhage, headquartered at the YB Arena in Strand (Broadlands), Western Cape. The organization serves approximately 250 children aged 6–18 drawn primarily from Lwandle Township, integrating soccer training with education, nutrition, and life-skills programming. Football functions as the engagement vehicle for broader youth-development outcomes rather than as an end in itself.

The business model is donation- and sponsorship-driven rather than revenue-commercial. Funding streams include a tiered "Family Club" individual donor program (€15 to €60+ per month), corporate sponsorships from brands such as adidas and hansgrohe, fees from an international internship program that brings paying participants to South Africa, and contributions routed through international support offices in Hamburg, Germany and Merlischachen, Switzerland. Notable institutional partners include Core Sports Capital (linked to French club Clermont Foot 63) and 1. FC Köln, which provide both reputational affiliation and a potential player pathway.

The academy operates owned infrastructure at the YB Arena (opened 2022) and competes in the ABC Motsepe League Western Cape, winning the title in its debut 2023 season. Programming expanded to include a girls' team in 2023, and a Swiss support organization was established in 2025 to broaden European fundraising. The organization is approaching its 15-year anniversary in 2025. No audited revenue figures, formal investor structure, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed; the entity functions as a program-delivery NGO rather than a commercial enterprise.

Name

Young Bafana Soccer Academy

Legal name

Young Bafana HHH Soccer Academy e.V.

Website

https://youngbafana.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Young Bafana Soccer Academy is a South African non-profit founded in 2010 that uses soccer to deliver education, nutrition, and life-skills programs to approximately 250 children from Lwandle Township, funded by tiered donations, corporate sponsors, and international internship fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Soccer Academy & Community Sports Development

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGADAJ

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Education & Youth Development Nonprofits

SECONDARYMPAKACAE

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Collegiate & Amateur Sports Organizations (NCAA, Federations, Clubs)

SECONDARYEDAIAGAG

Youth Development & Sports Outreach Programs

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/International Service Learning, Volunteering & Gap Year Programs

Keywords

• Youth soccer academy
• Football training programs
• Youth education support
• Community sports development
• Nonprofit football education

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: Primary revenue stream from individual donations (one-time and monthly), corporate sponsorships at Elite, Premium, and Family Partner tiers, and international support organizations (YB Switzerland, YB Germany)
2. Internship Program: Revenue from internship program where volunteers pay for accommodation at YB Intern House (350 EUR + utilities) while contributing to coaching, education, and marketing operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Young Bafana Soccer Academy is a non-profit that delivers free, holistic youth development to roughly 250 underprivileged children in Lwandle Township, South Africa, combining soccer scholarships (U7-U18 plus the YB Pro professional pathway and YB Girls Team), education tutoring (English and Maths), nutrition (hot meals via Nyama Choma), and life skills workshops. Programming is delivered at its owned YB Arena in Strand, with international support organizations in Germany and Switzerland channeling donations and partnerships such as Core Sports Capital, Clermont Foot 63, and 1. FC Köln enabling European pathways.

Product overview

Young Bafana Soccer Academy is a non-profit soccer academy based in Somerset West, South Africa, offering a holistic youth development program combining four core pillars: Soccer (scholarships, competitive teams U7-U18, YB Pro professional pathway), Education (English tutoring, career counselling, digital classroom), Nutrition (hot meals through Nyama Choma partnership), and Life Skills workshops. The organization operates from its owned YB Arena facility and has developed international pathways through Core Sports Capital partnerships with European clubs. Support programs include the Family Club monthly donation scheme, internship opportunities, and sister organizations in Germany and Switzerland.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YB STARS Programme: Training program for ambitious soccer players aged U7 to U16 who want to improve their skills at an early age, focusing on fun, skill development, and socialization.
• Soccer Scholarship
• Education & Skills
• YB Girls Team

Products and services

• Soccer Scholarship Program Free full scholarship program for talented players aged 6-18 from underprivileged backgrounds covering soccer training, playing and training equipment, food packages after each session, transportation, and complementary educational programs.
• YB Stars Programme Weekly training sessions for children aged U7 to U16, irrespective of skill level, focused on fun, skill development, physical activity, and socialization.
• Education & Skills Program Educational support through qualified teachers offering English tutoring for U12 and U14 groups, career counselling for U16 and U18 teams, and life skills workshops integrated into soccer training.
• YB Pro Team Professional team competing in the ABC Motsepe League (3rd tier of South African football), providing a senior competitive pathway for academy graduates.
• YB Girls Team Female soccer team launched to promote gender equality and provide equal opportunities for girls to participate in football, supported by dedicated changing facilities under construction.
• Family Club Monthly Donation Program Monthly donation program offering tiered membership options (Fankurve <15 EUR, Abwehr-bollwerk 15-30 EUR, Mittelfeld-Motor 30-60 EUR, Torschützen-könig >60 EUR) with transparent allocation to nutrition, arena development, or educational materials.
• Internship Program On-site internship programs in coaching, marketing, or education for international volunteers to actively support Young Bafana in South Africa, with accommodation provided at YB Intern House.
• Young Bafana Switzerland (Support Organization) Official registered support organization in Switzerland facilitating donations with Swiss tax deductibility, managing Family Club Switzerland, events, school projects, and fundraising activities.
• Young Bafana Germany / HHH Soccer Academy e.V. (Support Organization) German registered association providing German supporters with official donation channels and transparency reporting via PayPal and bank transfer (Kreissparkasse Steinfurt).
• YB Arena (Owned Training Facility) Owned training facility featuring two full-size soccer fields, gym, office and learning centre, locker rooms for home and visiting teams, two small artificial turf fields, and a digital classroom.
• Nutrition Program Partnership with Nyama Choma providing hot, nutritious meals to players at the YB Arena, addressing food security aligned with UN SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• Digital Classroom Container-based digital learning space at the YB Arena providing internet access and digital education opportunities for academy children, awaiting full computer hardware deployment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Eyona Ndondo became first YB player to debut in South African 1st Division (PSL) August 2020
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, premium and family.

• Core Sports CapitalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 March 2023Switzerland-based company owning and managing high-growth-potential football clubs including French Ligue 1 club Clermont Foot 63, SC Austria Lustenau (Austria), and FC Biel-Bienne (Switzerland). Partnership creates a pathway for young South African players to train with European professional academies. Elite football development program covers U11 and U12 age groups under CSC youth coach leadership with specialized training philosophy.
• 1. FC KölncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 October 2022German professional football club partnership established mid-2021. Includes successful shoe donation campaign, training equipment donations, expansion of educational structures, and coach training workshops via the Heinz Flohe Football Academy. FC Köln provides training videos and online coaching seminars for football development. Coach Jorge attended YB Arena opening in South Africa.
• Nyama ChomaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerElite Partner of Young Bafana providing hot, nutritious meals regularly served at the YB Arena. Supports the nutrition program ensuring players have access to high-quality, healthy food as part of the holistic development approach aligned with UN SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
• adidascoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides official jerseys and sportswear for Young Bafana players, enhancing the professional image and identity of the academy teams.
• HansgrohepremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium Partner providing bathroom and sanitation equipment for YB Arena facilities, supporting infrastructure development.
• Afrika24 ReisenpremiumGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium Partner and travel service provider supporting Young Bafana operations and logistics.
• EinhellfamilyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner supporting Young Bafana through equipment provision and sponsorship.
• LoveTheGamefamilyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner supporting youth football development.
• TaylorBlindsfamilyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner providing window treatments and facility support.
• Viva con AguafamilyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner focused on water access and sanitation projects.
• Hamburg Aviation (Vartan Avation Group)familyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner supporting through aviation industry connections.
• PG PflichtfamilyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner supporting Young Bafana initiatives.
• SylcofamilyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner providing support for Young Bafana programs.
• Syndikat7familyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner supporting youth development initiatives.
• Catch and KeepfamilyGTM or Marketing PartnerFamily Partner supporting Young Bafana operations.
• Athletes USAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to create online portfolios and videos for USA scholarship opportunities, helping Young Bafana players access college soccer scholarships in the United States. Keino Davids was successfully placed at Sheridan College, Wyoming through this partnership.
• Clermont Foot 63flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench Ligue 1 club owned by Core Sports Capital. Players Liqhawe Qawu and Donay Poole traveled to France in October 2023 for professional training with the club, representing Young Bafana internationally.
• Young Bafana SwitzerlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegistered Swiss nonprofit association founded 2024 by Fabian Stempel to support Young Bafana. Facilitates donations from Switzerland with tax deductibility benefits. Manages Family Club Switzerland, events, school projects, and fundraising. Board: Fabian Stempel (Chairman), Rea Fasnacht (Vice Chair).
• Young Bafana DeutschlandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman registered association (Young Bafana HHH Soccer Academy e.V.) accepting tax-deductible donations. Provides German supporters with official donation channels and transparency reporting. Contact: [email protected]

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global foundation funding sport-for-development programs worldwide. Not a direct operator but a strategic comparator and potential funder/advisor for organizations like Young Bafana, given the alignment of sport-plus-social-outcome missions.

Direct peers

• Right To Play: Global sport-for-development NGO operating programs across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Highly comparable as a sport-based youth-development non-profit, although at significantly larger scale and broader sport mix than Young Bafana.
• Grassroot Soccer: Global non-profit that uses soccer to educate and engage youth in health and development outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa. Most directly comparable to Young Bafana on mission (soccer as a vehicle for youth development), target beneficiary profile, and African operating footprint.
• Soccer Without Borders: Non-profit using soccer as a tool for refugee, immigrant, and underprivileged youth development, combining sport with education and social integration. Directly comparable on the sport-plus-holistic-support model and free-to-participant structure.
• Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA): Kenyan NGO linking sport with health, education, and social development for slum youth in Mathare. Directly comparable as an African township-based sports-for-development organization with a long operating history and integrated youth programs.
• Kick4Life: Lesotho-based non-profit using soccer for HIV prevention, education, and youth employment outcomes. Closest geographic and operating-model peer to Young Bafana in southern Africa, combining sport with health and life-skills programming for disadvantaged youth.

Broad incumbents

• FC Barcelona Foundation: Foundation of FC Barcelona running sport-for-social-inclusion projects worldwide. Comparable as a globally branded football-club foundation using sport for child and youth development, particularly resonant with Young Bafana's European club partnership model (1. FC Köln, Clermont Foot 63).
• Real Madrid Foundation: The charitable arm of a top European football club running sport-based social and educational programs globally. Comparable as a high-profile football-club-backed youth development foundation, though at vastly larger scale and with the resources of a top-tier professional club.
• 1. FC Köln Foundation: German professional football club and direct partner of Young Bafana. Comparable as a Bundesliga club engaging in CSR and international youth-development cooperation, including the Heinz Flohe Football Academy referenced in Young Bafana's partnership.

Regional players

• SAFA Foundation: South African Football Association's social responsibility arm, supporting football-based community development across South Africa. Comparable as a South-Africa-based football-and-youth-development organization, with the federation-level reach and resources that Young Bafana lacks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCi9Wvq3vnrH5xf62cvGZ4cA
• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/YoungBafana
• Instagraminstagram.com/young_bafana
• TikToktiktok.com/@young_bafana
• Xx.com/youngbafana
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/young-bafana-soccer-ngo

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Young Bafana Soccer Academy