Sekhukhune United have announced their plans for a fully integrated youth academy in Gauteng.
The club made the announcement on Thursday, confirming a groundbreaking partnership with Generation Schools.
“Sekhukhune United Football Club announced a groundbreaking partnership with Generation Schools to establish a fully integrated youth football academy in Gauteng,” the statement read.
“The academy will combine elite-level football training with private school education for up to 144 talented young athletes, all on fully funded scholarships.
“This marks a first for South African football: a top-tier PSL club launching a youth academy that offers both elite football development and private education as a fully integrated offering. it’s a bold step toward developing homegrown talent within a structured system that values academic and athletic growth equally, not as separate tracks, but as a unified pathway. It also aligns with the broader ambitions of SAFA and the PSL to strengthen the local football talent pipeline and improve long-term athlete development within the country.
“Sekhukhune United F.C. Head Of Marketing And Communication, Tebogo Mapinga, made the announcement at a special launch event hosted in Cape Town, saying, ‘Sekhukhune United was founded in the Sekhukhune Region, which is the birthplace of the Paramount King. The culture of the region signifies the determination to fight and win battles, which is the embodiment of the Sekhukhune United Football Club.
“We’re building a footballing legacy that starts with meaningful investment in our youth. But our ambition isn’t just about producing the next generation of professional players; it’s about nurturing responsible, empowered young leaders. Too often, our brightest talents are lured abroad. This academy is designed to give them world-class opportunities right here at home. This collaboration will change the lives of the youth from the Sekhukhune Region along with the rest of South Africa.’
“Though the academy will be located in Gauteng, The Cape Town launch event highlighted the nationwide impact of the programme and its expansion through Generation Schools’ National Network.
“The collaboration forms part of a broader rollout of the Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Programme in South Africa, a globally recognised development model that combines high-performance training with values-driven education.
“Based At Generation Schools Taroko, The Sekhukhune United Academy will integrate the Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Programme’s coaching ethos and methodology, known for its emphasis on discipline, teamwork, and holistic personal growth.”
Jevron Epstein, CEO of Generation Schools, said, “This partnership challenges the status quo. It represents a major shift in how professional clubs engage with youth development. We’re creating a pipeline that grows talent from the grassroots up, while ensuring that each learner receives a quality education and access to diverse opportunities both on and off the field.’
“Set to open in 2026, the Sekhukhune United Academy represents a bold new direction for football in South Africa, one that combines elite sport, education, and community impact in a single, unified vision. It also supports national efforts to retain talent locally and position South Africa as a hub for globally recognized football development.”
