Football association creates safe space for youth in Olievenhoutbosch

A community-driven football association in Olievenhoutbosch is transforming the lives of young boys and girls through sport, discipline, and mentorship.

The Olievenhoutbosch Football Association (OLFA) was initially centred around a senior league team, but it quickly grew into a youth-focused organisation that now plays a pivotal role in the community.

OLFA Secretary Wonders Mabhena said the association was established in 2013 with a clear mission to steer children away from the dangers of the streets and toward a more structured and purposeful life.

He explained that OLFA was founded by Phillips Nkwana, who was soon joined by other passionate members.

Together, they laid the foundation for the organisation by forming a leadership structure with roles such as chairperson, secretary, and treasurer.

However, building an organisation from the ground up was not without obstacles.

“We struggled a lot to establish our identity, as we weren’t recognised due to a lack of funds to host games and operate effectively,” said Mabhena.

“Over time, we expanded our reach and introduced divisions for under-11, under-13, under-15, and under-17 players.”

He said the decision to focus on youth development came after the association observed concerning trends among children in the community.

“At the age of 13, we noticed that many children start to smoke, drink alcohol, and adopt bad behaviour from being unsupervised in the streets,” he said.

“This realisation motivated us to take action.”

The association came together to strategise on how to draw more young people into structured activities, recognising football as a powerful tool for change.

“Many of the kids joined OLFA after being encouraged by their peers, which created a ripple effect that brought even more youth into a safe, supportive environment,” Mabhena said.

“We train them to be respectful, to stay away from drugs and alcohol, and to practice discipline both at home and at school.”

Despite their positive impact and growing membership, OLFA continues to face challenges related to visibility and resources.

“At this point, we’re still operating under the radar. We are not widely recognised and do not receive enough support,” he explained.

He mentioned that OLFA previously partnered with a corporate sponsor, which hosted under-13 tournaments, but that support ended last year.

Some of the association’s other challenges include pressing logistical and infrastructural needs.

“Our grounds in the area require upgrades to accommodate the 15 teams representing different parts of Olievenhoutbosch,” said Mabhena.

“We are also in need of essential items like soccer kits, training equipment, goalposts, boots, transport, and first aid supplies.”

He added that improving administrative efficiency is also a priority.

“Office resources such as stationery, internet access, and equipment are some of the things we also need, as they would help us better manage the association and support our teams,” said Mabhena.

Apart from all the setbacks, OLFA has also made progress in formalising its operations.

“We’ve successfully registered under the South African Football Association (SAFA), and we also register our players on the Ingqaku platform, which provides football insurance, and this is done annually.

“Each player is also issued with an ID card that includes their age and MySAFA number.”

This structured approach has helped the association draw increasing numbers of young people into its ranks.

OLFA is actively exploring partnerships and sponsorships that can help sustain its work and create lasting opportunities for young athletes.

The association is now in talks with the Tshwane Liquor Traders Association, which has pledged to host an annual tournament for one of the youth divisions.

“We are committed to growing and expanding locally and developing talented players who can go on to greater heights,” Mabhena said.

To learn more, contact Secretary Wonders Mabhena on 063 179 1629.

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