Roc Nation Sports International to launch youth football clinics in Cape Town

Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI) will launch its new grassroots sports programme in South Africa later this month, beginning with a football clinic for about 100 young people in Nyanga, Cape Town.

The half-day event will mark the start of the RNSI Dream to Play series and is scheduled to take place at the end of September. Participants will receive technical training, position-specific coaching and mentorship, as well as the opportunity to take part in question-and-answer sessions.

Professional coaches from Nkala FTBL will be involved in delivering the clinic, with Nkala FTBL coach Lwazi Mlonyeni set to lead the opening event.

Michael Yormark, president of Roc Nation Sports International, said the initiative would enable the organisation to extend its community work beyond its existing operations.

“We are proud to launch this new initiative in South Africa before running future clinics in our other global markets, which will inspire young men and women around the world via the power of sport.”

Grant Veitch, RNSI’s Director of African Football Recruitment, said Nyanga had been selected as the starting point because it would allow the organisation to engage directly with the local community.

“Dream to Play is rooted in creating tangible pathways and giving young talent the belief that their ambitions are valid and achievable,” Veitch said.

The programme is intended to operate throughout the year, with events planned every three to four months. Although football will provide the initial focus, future clinics will also cover rugby and basketball.

A rugby clinic is scheduled to take place at the end of 2026, followed by a basketball event in early 2027. Locations for those and subsequent activations will be selected at venues across South Africa.

Mlonyeni said the opening clinic represented an important opportunity for young people in Nyanga and welcomed the chance to work alongside Roc Nation Sports International.

“We are so excited to work with Roc Nation Sports International and the youngsters in Nyanga to lend a helping hand in the community and to start off this great initiative. This is such a special opportunity for the youngsters involved, and we cannot wait to get started.”

The Dream to Play series is designed to provide young participants with practical coaching, guidance and access to mentors while supporting their development across multiple sports.

RNSI plans to use the South African launch as the beginning of a wider programme that will eventually bring similar clinics to its other global markets. The organisation says the project will seek to use sport to inspire young men and women around the world.