Coach development and the donations of kit and equipment to the value of R1 million was behind the reason Cape Town City FC, received about 202 applications from local amateur clubs, to be part of the club’s DreamClub100.
“The DreamClub100 is the most inclusive and comprehensive community development project in South African football. The first year was an overwhelming success and the club has committed to continue the initiative,” said John Comitis, Chairman of the club.
The DreamClub100 affiliates 100 local amateur football clubs with Cape Town City FC, whereby they receive professional coaching and licensing of their coaches, the coaching of their players, kit and equipment to the value of R1 Million per year, to uplift their structures – all building stronger relationships and development structures between local community clubs and Cape Town City FC.
“59 local coaches were put through the SAFA D License in 2017. In 2018, Cape Town City FC will look to better this number while some coaches from these clubs will be afforded the opportunity to take the next steps in their coaching ambitions.
“With 202 applications streaming in from all over Cape Town, across all LFAs under SAFA Cape Town, between November 2017 and January 2018, the final list of 100 clubs has been selected to participate in Cape Town City FC’s 2018 DreamClub 100 Programme,” Comitis said.
“Cape Town City has once again been overwhelmed with the number of applications and interest in the DreamClub100 programme. The 2017 edition saw the beginning of a crucial relationship between Cape Town City and grassroots football.
“Where professional football has been neglecting local amateur youth clubs for years, Cape Town City has stepped in to embrace these structures that make it all possible in the first place. We commit incredible financial and technical resources towards our local amateur football clubs through this process and we are already seeing the results. Better coaching, better equipment, guidance for young players, and a direct pathway to professional football have all been provided through DreamClub100 and the journey is just beginning,” he added. “To see amateur coaches now hold SAFA licenses, hundreds of amateur clubs playing in Cape Town City donated kits, and undiscovered talents now getting picked for Cape Town City through this project – I know we are making a difference. We welcome with open arms all 100 clubs for 2018 and we are looking forward to rolling up our sleeves and making a difference once again,” Comitis said.
