Iceland Fundraising Hike, 24th August to 10th September

The AFA, in its endeavor to create fundraising and marketing opportunities for potential sponsors, are able to confirm the commitment of three key members whom have contributed to the success of the AFA to date. They are Stuart Miller, Academy Director, Dr. Jason Suter, Medical Officer, and Simon Osborne, Legal Advisor.

At the end of August of 2008 the three members have committed themselves to a 330km hike across the interior of Iceland from Akureyri in the North to Skogar, 330km to the South, at the beginning of the Icelandic Winter. The proposed route is indicated in blue.

Details of this trip will be posted soon along with sponsoring opportunities for individuals and company's. A webpage dedicated to the trip will be placed on the AFA website under the sponsors link and on the frontpage.

Individual Donations Received

Dr. Richard Kyte, South Africa
United Soccer Academy, Pennsylvania, USA
Brandywine Youth Club, USA

Corporate Donations (received / committed)

Cape Storm
Diadora

News: July 03, 2008, 17:45
Source Unknown

Bafana's performance not up to standard: Jordaan

South Africa's ailing soccer team is paying the price of poor development structures. 2010 Local Organising Committee CEO, Danny Jordaan, admitted for the first time that Bafana Bafana still had some ground to cover to be considered world class. He was addressing a gathering to mark the three-year sponsorship renewal of SAFA Soweto.

South Africa is struggling to qualify for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Next year, the team's soccer prowess will be informed by their performances against the might of Spain, Brazil and Italy in the Confederations Cup.

Spain has won the EURO 2008 and also competed in the under-17 and under-20 world cups. Their soccer development sharply contrasts South Africa's soccer evolution. Jordaan believes South Africa must return to the basics to acquire a world class team.

Jordaan says: “It can only happen at grassroots football when structures like SAFA Soweto have the infrastructure, funding and facilities to create under-17, under-20 world champions … then we will have Bafana Bafana world champions. It’s a long way to go."

News: 22nd June '08

The AFA are pleased to announce a developing collaboration with the Lenasia Football Association. The collaboration includes many aspects associated with the development of football in Johannesburg and South Africa.

These include secondary and tertiary education development; technical excellence for age structures between u15 and u20; youth development between u9 and u15; programmes for women's football and mass participation; and programmes for disabled athletes.

More information on these programmes and events will be posted shortly.

News: 19th June '08

The AFA management have engaged with the GreaterGood SA to ensure a secure donation portal for its contributing commercial and private organisations. This can be done online through the link attached below:

We ask once you have accessed our secure online donation portal and made your donation, that you please advise us of your contribution by forwarding an email to our administrator at amathole@fastmail.fm so that we can acknowledge and monitor your donation.

We look forward to a prosperous working relationship with the GreaterGood SA and welcome any further collaborations with like minded organisations and professional club structures.

News: 30th May '08

Amathole management recently received a kind donation from the Brandywine Youth Club soccer players and parents. The players shirts and shorts will make a welcome addition to our equipment bank that we utilise for various occasions, league fixtures, training sessions and as alternative and emergency kit for teams in need.

We hope to be using them in the coming week for an important training game that will also serve as trials for local Lenasia u17 and u19 boys. Watch this space for more details of this event and some photos of the players in their new shirts. A most sincere welcome and warm thank-you to the players, management and parents of Brandywine Youth Club.

You can learn about their activities at www.brandywineyouthclub.com

News: 11th April '08

The AFA management are proud to announce a developing working relationship with the developers of the 'Coaches Colleague' concept.

It is a dynamic, interactive internet based resource site that has as it's core function, the advancement of training and resources to a diverse range of coaching personnel across the globe. The site covers broad areas of interest and more specific areas related to technical and welfare issues that promote interactive discussion. Key areas include Sessions, Fitness, Nutrition, Injuries, Refereeing, Child Protection, relevant Articles related to the everyday practice of sport development and management and Additional Information such as Scouting.

Matthew Tallon, the Managing Director, has added his comments below:

Designed by Coach Educators for Coaches!
CoachesColleague is a comprehensive coaching website that provides ideas, advice and information on every aspect of the coaching process. Its aim is to assist football (soccer) coaches in the modern era develop their own knowledge and understanding in order to to provide their players with a correct and thorough education.

The ever expanding site currently contains over 1600 pages, across 10 unique sections, so regardless of experience, level of involvement or the qualifications gained every coach will find this site a valuable addition to their coaching resources.

Peruse the site for a tour at http://www.coachescolleague.com/tour/tour_home.html

News: 25th March '08

The AFA is proud to announce the Official FIFA Inauguration of one of Amathole's collaborating partners and industry institutions.

The University of the Witwatersrand's Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine (CESSM) was officially Inaugurated as the first 'FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence in Africa' at a special event on Monday the 31st March 2008 at the Wits University Education Campus (old Johannesburg College of Education) St Andrew’s Road, Parktown.

As part of the day's activities CESSM sponsored transport costs for the Amathole players to attend a special training session between 10am and 12pm demonstrating the XLR8 equipment.

More information on the developing relationship between Amathole and CESSM will be posted as events and programmes bear fruition.

News: 19th March '08

Amathole's continuing relationship with SAFA Soweto which is guided by the mandate of our developing MoU finds expression in the initiation of a Development task-team. The inaugural meeting, to be held the week after the Easter break, will outline the scope, objectives and outputs for the team.

A white paper for development that is regionally specific and nationally relevant will be considered as the first objective of the task-team. Outputs will be posted on the website under the development tab.

News: 4th March

SAFA Soweto are taking great strides towards providing high quality competition in Soweto, an area of meaningful and accessible development that has been neglected by the national body.

News: 22nd April '08

The AFA management are happy to announce the inclusion of the u17's and u20's into the newly established Premier League towards furthering the development of its senior players.

More information will be made available soon. Please visit the 'Team Results' tab to see the latest log, fixtures and results.

News: 4th March

The AFA are excited to announce the continuing relationship with Angle Orange, a long time supporter of Amathole. For the 2008 season Angle Orange have been invited to sponsor part of the 'u17 Super-League' to be played around Johannesburg and include such teams as Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, Wits University, Platinum Stars, Supersport United, Moroka Swallows, Jomo Cosmos and the School of Excellence amongst other Soweto clubs and Academies.

Angle Orange have committed themselves to providing economic opportunities to South Africa's developing small business community programmes. This has resulted in a unique partnership with the sponsorship provided for Amathole and the Pat-Poulza community project. The sponsored clothing will be manufactured through the community programme providing valuable economic development towards attaining economic diversity and viability for the Pat-Poulza programme.

We are happy to have them on board and look forward to continuing a productive relationship. Our many thanks for their contributions and commitment.