Youth Unlimited has recognized that football opens a great opportunity to develop lives beyond football. A large number of youth are passionate about the sport, and Youth Unlimited can reach these youngsters by using football as a tool to draw them into other developmental programs. This program has been named Siyaphambili, which means, “we are moving forward.”

Football teams currently earn points only for the games they play. Three points are awarded for a win, one point is awarded for a draw, and zero points are awarded for a loss. With the proposed Siyaphambili program, “bonus points” are awarded to teams for completion of community service and personal development courses. The introduction of a bonus point system will not replace the current system, but rather offers teams an additional way to be recognized for community upliftment and individual development through a separate tournament. Teams will earn bonus points through community upliftment and personal development courses. Examples of community development include clearing of rubbish in the community, caring for community gardens surrounding their fields, and helping those in need. Personal development courses will include both vocational skills and lifeskills. Recognized development courses will be offered by service providers and programs that are known and respected in their communities. Attending these courses will allow players to earn bonus points for their teams. At the end of the football season, teams will be ranked according to both the number of bonus points earned and the number of league points earned through playing games.

At the end of the season, the teams with the most cumulative points in each association will be invited to a knock-out tournament. Totals from both point systems, the bonus points and the league points, will be used. The top teams of each association will compete in the tournament and have the chance to win prizes, funding, and the opportunity to be scouted by major football clubs. The team that emerges as the overall victor of the tournament will receive additional honors, including a floating trophy for that year and the distinction of its home association hosting the following year’s knock-out competition.

Also, as part of this program, Siyaphambili will host an annual youth forum. During this forum youth leaders from each association will join together to evaluate and improve the system. This will help the youth feel ownership of the program and encourage participation. It will also further develop leadership skills in youth who have already excelled in this area.

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