South Africa will serve as the host for the first in a series of youth sports clinics, which will start with a football event in Nyanga on Wednesday before continuously rotating across carefully selected venues nationwide.
The series, announced by global agency Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI) – and dubbed as the Dream to Play series – aims to “harness the power of sport to inspire young people, create opportunities and encourage the next generation to dream bigger”.
Bringing together up to 100 young local participants, the first half-day football clinic in Cape Town will offer structured technical skills work led by professional coaches from Nkala FTBL, alongside position-specific coaching, Q&A sessions and mentorship.
“Roc Nation Sports International has always given back to the communities in which we work, so now we are taking it to another level with our Dream to Play clinics,” stated Michael Yormark, president of RNSI.
“We are proud to launch this new initiative in South Africa before running future clinics in our other global markets, which will inspire young men and women around the world via the power of sport.”
Dream to Play series embraces the importance of youth sports
The Dream to Play series will be supported by a group of South African partners that share RNSI’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for young people through sport.
In a post shared to social media at the start of this week, it was revealed that Nando’s will offer catering for the youth in attendance, with Thirsti providing the hydration on the day. Other partners such as Wellness Warehouse, Nike and Softconstruct SA are understood to have contributed towards key elements including the likes of equipment, kit and the footballs.
“Dream to Play is rooted in creating tangible pathways and giving young talent the belief that their ambitions are valid and achievable,” said Grant Veitch, RNSI Director of African Football Recruitment.
“Starting in Nyanga with football allows us to connect directly with the community by developing a memorable experience that extends far beyond the pitch. This is the first step in a broader vision to nurture youth potential right across South Africa, and these clinics undoubtedly showcase the commitment of RNSI to give back to local communities in a meaningful way.”
Sustainable project
Crucially, Dream to Play is designed as a sustainable, year-round roadshow in South Africa rather than a single event. Operating on a quarterly schedule (every three to four months), the campaign will alternate between three of South Africa’s popular sports verticals: football, rugby and basketball.
Lwazi Mlonyeni, who will be the lead coach at the inaugural clinic, said it would be a great honour for Nkala FTBL to be involved in the first ‘Dream to Play’ activation.
“We are so excited to work with Roc Nation Sports International and the youngsters in Nyanga to lend a helping hand in the community and to start off this great initiative. This is such a special opportunity for the youngsters involved, and we cannot wait to get started.”
