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BoS | FNB Varsity Player Experience 2024: Empowering the Future of South African Football

2 October 2024 - As the sponsor of both Cape Town City FC and Varsity Football, FNB is thrilled to announce the return of the FNB Varsity Player Experience, an unparalleled initiative aimed at nurturing and developing the next generation of South African football talent. The programme ran from 26 September to 3 October, and now in its third year, has become a cornerstone for aspiring young athletes, offering them a comprehensive and immersive experience designed to sharpen their skills, grow their personal brands, and prepare them for a future in football both on and off the field.

This year's FNB Varsity Player Experience spans several days of intensive training, education, and unforgettable experiences for the selected players. Participants engaged in workshops ranging from social media management and personal branding to media training and life skills development.

“At FNB, we believe in the life-changing and community-building power of sport. This programme is just one way in which we demonstrate our commitment to nurturing and empowering young talent with the skills they need to grow from grassroots to greatness,” says Faye Mfikwe, Chief Marketing Officer at FNB.

Notable mentors guided athletes through social media training, personal branding, media training, mental agility, content creation, entrepreneurship and life skills training. For football-specific development, players also benefited from workshops on working with agents, winning over scouts, and creating player CVs. They also enjoyed sessions led by current and former professional athletes like Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City FC Coach and former player), Darren Keet (Cape Town City FC goalkeeper), Roxanne Barker (former Banyana Banyana player and international), Michael Morton (Cape Town Spurs player and podcaster) and Morgan Gould (former Kaizer Chiefs player).

“Hindsight has a great way of teaching us how to do better for the future. Those lessons throughout the industry have shown that there is a great need to adequately equip football players to effectively and sustainably manage their careers. And, by connecting young players with expert training, through the Varsity Player Experience, we want to ensure that South Africa’s future football stars have all the skills they need to succeed both on and off the field,” Mfikwe continues.

All Varsity Sports athletes have the opportunity to join the Financial Education for Student Athletes workshops run by FNB throughout the year, ensuring that these future stars are well-equipped for the financial demands of a professional football career.

“Perhaps the highlight of the FNB Varsity Player Experience is the opportunity for participants to engage with Cape Town City FC, giving them exposure to an elite environment and an inside look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level of South African football,” adds Mfikwe.

Players also had a VIP Match Day experience, seeing game day from behind the scenes and played a friendly match with the CTCFC Diski team, where Club experts gave them tips to improve their game.

Participating players are selected by CTCFC Scouts from the Varsity Football tournaments for men and women.

They are:

Zanile Khoza North West University Potchefstroom Female
Hlalefang Moledi North West University Potchefstroom Female
Gugu Dhlamini University of Johannesburg Female
Morongwa Manamela University of Pretoria (Tuks) Female
Sibongile Petunia Ntoane Tshwane University of Technology Female
Sanele Magodla Cape Peninsula University of Technology Female
Reatlegile Kenny Kgosithebe North West University Mahikeng Male
Lucky Letwaba North West University Mahikeng Male
Samukelo Ngodela University of Pretoria (Tuks) Male
Camagu Siyavuya Mdevulana University of Pretoria (Tuks) Male
Jarome Abe Jansen University of the Free State Male
Shuaib Martin University of Western Cape Male

 


The FNB Varsity Player Experience is a testament to FNB’s dedication to fostering young talent and creating pathways for future football stars. By providing this unique platform, FNB continues to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, ensuring that these young athletes have the resources and guidance needed, reinforcing FNB’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of South African football.

 |  SA Sportspress  |  Business of Sport

2 October 2024 - As the sponsor of both Cape Town City FC and Varsity Football, FNB is thrilled to announce the return of the FNB Varsity Player Experience, an unparalleled initiative aimed at nurturing and developing the next generation of South African football talent. The programme ran from 26 September to 3 October, and now in its third year, has become a cornerstone for aspiring young athletes, offering them a comprehensive and immersive experience designed to sharpen their skills, grow their personal brands, and prepare them for a future in football both on and off the field.

This year's FNB Varsity Player Experience spans several days of intensive training, education, and unforgettable experiences for the selected players. Participants engaged in workshops ranging from social media management and personal branding to media training and life skills development.

“At FNB, we believe in the life-changing and community-building power of sport. This programme is just one way in which we demonstrate our commitment to nurturing and empowering young talent with the skills they need to grow from grassroots to greatness,” says Faye Mfikwe, Chief Marketing Officer at FNB.

Notable mentors guided athletes through social media training, personal branding, media training, mental agility, content creation, entrepreneurship and life skills training. For football-specific development, players also benefited from workshops on working with agents, winning over scouts, and creating player CVs. They also enjoyed sessions led by current and former professional athletes like Lebogang Manyama (Cape Town City FC Coach and former player), Darren Keet (Cape Town City FC goalkeeper), Roxanne Barker (former Banyana Banyana player and international), Michael Morton (Cape Town Spurs player and podcaster) and Morgan Gould (former Kaizer Chiefs player).

“Hindsight has a great way of teaching us how to do better for the future. Those lessons throughout the industry have shown that there is a great need to adequately equip football players to effectively and sustainably manage their careers. And, by connecting young players with expert training, through the Varsity Player Experience, we want to ensure that South Africa’s future football stars have all the skills they need to succeed both on and off the field,” Mfikwe continues.

All Varsity Sports athletes have the opportunity to join the Financial Education for Student Athletes workshops run by FNB throughout the year, ensuring that these future stars are well-equipped for the financial demands of a professional football career.

“Perhaps the highlight of the FNB Varsity Player Experience is the opportunity for participants to engage with Cape Town City FC, giving them exposure to an elite environment and an inside look at what it takes to succeed at the highest level of South African football,” adds Mfikwe.

Players also had a VIP Match Day experience, seeing game day from behind the scenes and played a friendly match with the CTCFC Diski team, where Club experts gave them tips to improve their game.

Participating players are selected by CTCFC Scouts from the Varsity Football tournaments for men and women.

They are:

Zanile Khoza North West University Potchefstroom Female
Hlalefang Moledi North West University Potchefstroom Female
Gugu Dhlamini University of Johannesburg Female
Morongwa Manamela University of Pretoria (Tuks) Female
Sibongile Petunia Ntoane Tshwane University of Technology Female
Sanele Magodla Cape Peninsula University of Technology Female
Reatlegile Kenny Kgosithebe North West University Mahikeng Male
Lucky Letwaba North West University Mahikeng Male
Samukelo Ngodela University of Pretoria (Tuks) Male
Camagu Siyavuya Mdevulana University of Pretoria (Tuks) Male
Jarome Abe Jansen University of the Free State Male
Shuaib Martin University of Western Cape Male

 


The FNB Varsity Player Experience is a testament to FNB’s dedication to fostering young talent and creating pathways for future football stars. By providing this unique platform, FNB continues to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, ensuring that these young athletes have the resources and guidance needed, reinforcing FNB’s ongoing commitment to investing in the future of South African football.

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