By Johnathan Paoli

Spanish football league LaLiga and Royal Bafokeng Sports (RBS) have officially launched a new elite youth football academy in South Africa.

Speaking at the launch event, LaLiga Africa Managing Director Trésor Penku said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to the long-term development of youth football on the continent.

“This launch reflects a shared commitment between LaLiga and the Royal Bafokeng Nation to the responsible and sustainable development of youth football in Africa,” Penku said.

“By combining our methodology with RBS’s infrastructure and long-term vision, we are creating a high-performance environment that will nurture talent and contribute meaningfully to the South African football ecosystem.”

The Royal Bafokeng Sports LaLiga Academy will be based at the Royal Marang Hotel Sports Campus in Phokeng, North West province.

The high-performance facility features six natural grass pitches, two artificial turf pitches, a 7-a-side 7 pitch, and a fully equipped High Performance Centre designed to meet international training standards.

Penku said the initiative brings together LaLiga’s globally recognised youth development methodology and the long-term development strategy of the Royal Bafokeng Nation, which has positioned sport as a key driver of community development under its Vision 2035 framework.

The academy is expected to accommodate approximately 100 players across multiple age groups, including U14, U15, U17, U19 and a senior SARL team.

He said it aims to provide a structured pathway that integrates high-performance training, competitive match exposure and academic support, with players set to compete in community, regional and elite competitions.

Oversight of the programme will be led by a UEFA Pro Licence coach serving as Technical Director, supported by local coaching staff and operating under the direct supervision of LaLiga’s technical team in Spain.

The model is designed to facilitate knowledge transfer while building local coaching capacity and embedding international best practice within the South African football ecosystem.

Royal Bafokeng Sports leadership described the academy as a milestone in expanding access to world-class training opportunities for young athletes in the region.

Acting RBS Managing Director Emile Smith welcomed the partnership with LaLiga as a major milestone in the nation’s journey to develop young football talent.

“Together, we are creating opportunities for aspiring athletes through world-class coaching, mentorship, and access to exceptional facilities. This academy will not only elevate player development but also inspire a deeper passion for football within our communities,” Smith said.

The collaboration forms part of LaLiga’s broader global footprint, which has seen the Spanish league deliver more than 900 international sports projects across over 60 countries in the past decade.

LaLiga Head of Football Projects Juan Florit said the partnership would enable the adaptation of Spanish football expertise to local conditions while strengthening grassroots systems.

“Through collaborations such as this, we are able to share the knowledge and expertise of Spanish football while adapting it to local contexts. Together with the Royal Bafokeng Nation, we aim to identify and develop regional talent and create long-term value for the game,” Florit said.

He said LaLiga’s youth development model has become a benchmark globally, with academy-trained players accounting for 19.8% of total playing minutes in the 2024/25 season and reaching a combined market value of €1.477 billion.

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