Mainz 05 take football development programme and freestyle finals to Cape Town

German Bundesliga club 1. FSV Mainz 05 has continued its football development work in Cape Town, delivering academy coaching methods to young players and community coaches before supporting the South African Freestyle Football Championship at the V&A Waterfront.

The programme combined practical camps, coaching education and a public competition, forming part of Mainz 05’s continuing engagement with South Africa through grassroots football, coach development and local partnerships. Mainz 05 and Rheinland-Pfalz Gold have previously backed international football camps and coaching clinics in the country, and the two organisations have broadened their international collaboration for the 2025/26 season.

At the Nexgen Football School camp, 85 players aged from under-10 to under-18 worked alongside coaches to learn about Mainz 05’s approach. The event also allowed local coaches to exchange ideas and discuss player development.

Nexgen, founded in Cape Town in 2014, is a grassroots football school led by founder Justin Tantaal. Its work focuses on developing young players through coaching and providing opportunities beyond local competition.

The programme then moved to Badgers Football Academy, extending the coaching and development exchange to another Cape Town football community.

Badgers was established in 2017 as a women’s football club and is run by women for girls and women. The academy aims to widen access to football by offering inclusive and supportive opportunities to play, alongside coaching, mentorship and routes towards personal and sporting development.

The third camp was held with Hellenic Football Academy, a club with longstanding links to football in Cape Town. Hellenic was founded in 1958 by Greek South Africans and became one of South Africa’s leading teams during the 1970s, winning the national championship in 1971. Its Cape Town structure has also maintained a strong focus on youth development.

Freestyle football takes the spotlight

The programme ended at the V&A Waterfront, where Mainz 05 and Rheinland-Pfalz Gold backed the South African Freestyle Football Championship, giving local champions the opportunity to compete in a prominent public setting.

Freestyle football combines ball control, athletic ability and creative performance. Holding the championship at a high-profile venue enabled competitors to display their skills to a wider audience, while helping raise the profile of both the discipline and its athletes.

Previous South African Open championships at the Waterfront have brought together national competitors and provided a possible route towards international competition.

The camps and championship represent Mainz 05’s continued community-level activity in South Africa. Its wider international programme includes grassroots camps, coaching clinics and community initiatives.

Founded in 1905, Mainz 05 is an established Bundesliga club with a recognised youth programme and a stated commitment to community engagement. Its Cape Town work connects that experience directly with local players, coaches and clubs.