Jacoba Football Academy empowers through sport

The academy caters for unprivileged children from disadvantaged backgrounds who mostly come from Yeoville, Hillbrow, Berea, Orange Grove and other areas stretching as far away as Soweto. It currently has 180 players and the numbers grow on a weekly basis. The club focuses on ages six to 17, and there is a senior side for players from 18 to 26.

Coach Ricky Cromer-Wilson said, “Jacoba Football Club tries to provide players with a daily meal. We believe that education and sport go hand in hand when it comes to success. We provide an environment where the players can come and get academic help from qualified teachers that assist us from St Johns College and Pridwin Preparatory School. The centre also received donations from various schools namely Keps and Alberton Primary, and the Sunflower Fund which is essential to keep us going. Jacoba Football Club would like to thank those who have assisted us in providing for our players and benefiting the community. We have a saying, a child in sport is a child out of court.”

Jacoba Football Club is growing in terms of their achievements. Last year, they were awarded the Absa Premiership’s Captain My Captain award which is presented to a side that provides a great service to the community as a whole and not only to the game of soccer.

Dimitri Athanasopoulos, a founding member of the club, gave an indication of what he expects from the club this year. Athanasopoulos said, “I expect this year to be a good year in growing the club as we are looking forward to entering more teams into the North Rand Football League. We are also looking for any sponsors who are willing to contribute to a cause that uses football to drive social development as we are registered as a non-profit company.”

Details: 082 646 3005; www.jacobafc.co.za

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