Yesterday McDonald’s South Africa, in partnership with the South African Schools Football Association (SASFA), launched the 7th edition of the McDonald’s U/14 Schools League at the Nike Football Centre in Soweto.
McDonald’s SA continues to show its committed and continuous contribution in football development in schools through its 2010 legacy programme. The McDonald’s U/14 Schools league is aimed at “Developing Dreams” to ensure that South Africa’s young talent is developed and nurtured at grassroots level.

The McDonald’s U/14 Schools League will commence in May and culminate with the provincial finals.

Previously, the provincial finals took place over a nine week long period and this year, the McDonald’s U/14 Schools League 2016 will now take place in a new “Soccer Festivals” format where provinces will travel to other provinces to play their provincial finals.

The soccer festivals will take place in the following regions:

KwaZulu Natal  – 10 July ( KZN and Free State)
Mpumalanga – 13 August (Mpumalanga and Limpopo)
North West – 20 August ( North West and Gauteng)
Western Cape – 10 September ( Western Cape, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape)
“We are proud to still be fulfilling our legacy and long-term commitment to developing football at grassroots level. We are excited about the new league format, which will not only reach children in schools but furthermore provide the opportunity for the parents and communities to be part of the festivities whilst supporting their children. The soccer festivals will also allow children to showcase football talent amongst their peers from different provinces,” says Sechaba Motsieloa, Corporate Affairs Director for McDonald’s South Africa

The league also provides the opportunity for teachers and coaches to be trained at the Soccer Festival Coaching Clinics in partnership with KNVB (Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond – Dutch Football Association) WorldCoaches programme. This training develops coaches that have a direct contact with the McDonald’s U/14 Schools League players in schools.

SASFA President, Mandla “Shoes” Mazibuko said: “This has been a six years long-standing partnership and extended for a new three year’s cycle.  We are really proud to witness the young player’s dreams realised through the McDonald’s U/14 Schools League. We will continue to provide structures for schools and children to develop their football skills at grassroot level.”

To provide entertainment at all festivals will be South Africa’s youngest DJ and 2015 SA’s Got Talent winner, DJ Arch Junior who has won the hearts of South Africans with his DJ’ing skills.

The nine Provincial Winners will proceed to the McDonald’s U/14 Schools League national finals to be held in Gauteng from 29 September to 1 October 2016.