Nike FOOTBALL TRAINING

Footballer Alexandre Pato and former South African international Shaun Bartlett joined NIKE DUNK Inc, the world’s largest footy company, today to celebrate the completion of the new community Footy Training Middle in Soweto, South Africa. The middle will give 20,000 young footballers a year the chance to create their footy talent while also having access to HIV/AIDS schooling through footy life skills programming.
“Nike has always understood the power of sport to inspire modify and to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Mark Parker, nike dunk sb Inc., President and CEO. “The Footy Training Middle will generate an enduring legacy for the Soweto community and encourage the next generation of footballers by delivering premium footy clinics combined with life skills programming to give young people the knowledge they need to live HIV free.”
South African government ministers were joined by community and business leaders, along with professional athletes, to support the unveiling of the Footy Training Middle.
“The City of Johannesburg has always said that government working alone and in isolation won't be able to effectively address the complex challenges that face our society. To succeed, they need a partnership across all spheres of government, amongst and with civil society organizations, business as well as communities,” said City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Counsellor Amos Masondo.
“The City of Johannesburg is proud to have played an element in generating this world class Footy Training Middle. This facility will bring people together through community-based footy programs and provide inspiration to thousands of young footballers who aspire to play for their country,” they said.
Former South African National team player Shaun Bartlett added: “The power that this footy training program will have on the future footballers of South Africa can’t be underestimated. It will help players create their game and become more disciplined on and off field. Our final aim is to see children from this program succeed at every level of the game.”
The middle is part of Nike’s dedication to the communities of South Africa which dates back 15 years. It also follows Nike’s recent partnership with (RED) to leverage the power of sport to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa through the Lace Up, Save Lives campaign. When anyone buys a pair ofDunk High All WhiteRED laces, Nike contributes money to support programs that offer schooling and medication on the ground in Africa and that harness the power of sport to engage youth around the globe in the fight against AIDS.
The first round of Dunk High All White RED grant recipients, receiving money from the preliminary three months of fundraising, were announced today at the Footy Training Middle. Twenty three community-based footy programs, across 16 African countries will share $450,000 in grants to further their programming to educate youth on HIV/AIDS prevention through the lens of sport.
“HIV/AIDS continues to be a critical health issue in South Africa and they value the benefit that public / private partnerships bring to helping fight this disease,” said Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health South Africa. “Nike’s approach to merge footy, schooling and medication is a powerful example of how sport can be used as a catalyst, enabling youth to make informed decisions and hopefully live a life free of HIV.”
Nike has invested in HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Africa and globally for several years, and will continue to engage with its existing community nonprofit partners to make use of footy and sport as a device for development throughout the country.