AC Milan Junior Soccer Camp
AULDA acknowledges with appreciation the in-kind donation from Vessels of Virtue NPC, which enabled township children to participate in the AC Milan Junior Soccer Camp and included the provision of official training regalia for the beneficiaries.
AC MILAN JUNIOR SOCCER CAMP
Bringing World-Class Football to Africa
The AC Milan Junior Soccer Camp – Southern Africa Edition brings one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs to the region for a week-long elite youth development camp. This initiative offers boys and girls aged 7–17 the opportunity to train under official AC Milan Academy coaches and gain international exposure.
Youth Development
Develop youth soccer talent in Southern Africa to international standards. Provide coaching development for local coaches through knowledge transfer. Daily sessions with AC Milan coaches plus structured league matches. Focus on athlete wellness with healthy meals and education.
Scholarships and sponsorships
Create opportunities for talented children, including scholarships and sponsorships for those with outstanding potential. Foster corporate visibility and impact through sport, education, and community building. Strengthen tourism, regional unity, and international partnerships.
AC Milan Junior Soccer Camp – AULDA Participation
At varius vel pharetra vel turpis
In October 2025, Africans United for Long-lasting Development of Africa participated in the AC Milan Junior Soccer Camp South Africa, an international youth football initiative that brought world-class coaching to South African children for the first time.
The camp followed the arrival of AC Milan international technical staff at O.R. Tambo International Airport, where they were officially welcomed by local partners. The programme was hosted by Vessels of Virtue , with support from local stakeholders and community organisations, in partneship locally with AULDA and School is Cool.
AULDA’s Role and Contribution
AULDA participated as a child-centred inclusion and support partner, focusing on ensuring that children from township and disadvantaged communities were able to access the opportunity without financial or logistical barriers.
Through coordination with the event organiser, AULDA secured more tahn 45 fully sponsored participation places for township children as in-kind support, with each place valued at R7,000, representing a total inclusion value of R315,000.
To ensure consistent and safe participation, AULDA also:
Provided daily transport for township-based participants throughout the camp
Secured safe accommodation for a vulnerable beneficiary
Implemented parental consent and safeguarding measures
Deployed independent media documentation for accountability and reporting
International Coaching and Local Capacity
The camp featured training led by two international AC Milan technical directors:
Nasar Ponsano – International Technical Director
Federico Conticelli – International Technical Director
They were supported by local South African coaches, promoting skills transfer, sustainability, and contextual learning.
Youth Impact and Inclusion
The camp highlighted the importance of equitable access to opportunity.
One township participant supported by AULDA, Tito Hlope, demonstrated outstanding performance, reinforcing the principle that talent exists in all communities when opportunity is provided.
In addition, Bongiwe Rakosa (15) participated as the only female player in the camp—an important milestone for girls’ empowerment in football and a reflection of AULDA’s commitment to gender inclusion in youth development.
Outcomes
45 township children accessed international-level training
Financial barriers to participation were removed
Confidence, discipline, and teamwork were strengthened
Girls’ participation in male-dominated sports spaces was visibly advanced
Strong safeguarding and child-protection standards were maintained
Looking Ahead
AULDA continues to use sport as a gateway to life skills, confidence, discipline, and opportunity for young people.
The AC Milan Junior Soccer Camp experience reinforces AULDA’s mission:
“No Young Person Left Behind.”