Everton’s International Soccer Schools Programme is to expand into Africa for the first time, with Blues coaches set to visit South Africa this April.
Launched in April 2021 as part of the Club’s revamped international strategy, the Soccer Schools initiative sees fully-qualified coaches deliver sessions from the same curriculum used by staff at the world-renowned Everton Academy.
The first camps to be hosted on the continent will take place in Cape Town, with the two-day courses open to boys and girls of all abilities aged six to 15.
As well as helping youngsters hone their skills, an emphasis is placed on teamwork and creating a fun and welcoming environment in which to learn.
The International Soccer Schools Programme is already well established in the USA, with thousands of children taking part in camps across 16 states last summer.
The US programme will expand in 2023, with plans in place to develop the Soccer Schools initiative in other parts of the world in the coming years.
Paddy Byrne, Everton’s International Technical Manager, said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity for us to take what we’ve successfully developed in the USA over the past two years and take it into Africa for the first time.
“The Soccer Schools are a fantastic way for us to grow the Everton brand around the world and do that by engaging kids in an authentic and memorable Everton experience - one that will teach them new skills, nurture their love of the game, and allow them to make new friends along the way.
“We’re committed to increasing the reach of our International Academy and this is just one of the great ways we’re doing that.”
Earlier this month, Everton announced Ghana’s Ridge City had become the first African and first women’s football club to join its International Academy Affiliate Programme (EIAAP).
A core part of Everton’s international development, the EIAAP seeks to expand the knowledge and expertise of the Club’s player development processes to affiliated clubs across the world through first-rate coaching and mentoring support.
The Cape Town Soccer Schools will take place on 3-4 and 5-6 April. For more information, or to book, click here.
For more information about Everton’s International Soccer Schools and Academy Affiliate programmes, or to enquire about becoming affiliated with Everton, click here.
