Courses
On 1 September 2006 the Stars in their Eyes Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Minister Mzonke ‘Whitey’ Jacobs, the minister responsible for Sport and Culture in the Western Cape, South Africa. Six regional chairmen of the South African Football Association (SAFA) co-signed the memorandum. The memorandum covered all areas of community development, specifically using football as catalyst.
Subsequently, a pilot phase was implemented in the Western Cape in the period 19-25 February 2007. This pilot phase was implemented in a controlled environment, so that a sustainable development model could be created. The first “Football for Development” clinic was hosted by the Stars Foundation at the University of Stellenbosch during the aforementioned period, and was presented by Nico Labohm, senior lecturer of the KNVB Academy, supported by Francis Mimanzi of MYSA Kenia.
Since then, Stars in their Eyes and the Royal Dutch Football Association have hosted 16 courses, training 475 coaches coming from 173 communities. These courses were presented in venues in Riebeeck West, Addo, Grahamstown, Somerset East, Kimberley, Gauteng, Stellenbosch, Cape Town.