The Gauteng Provincial Legislature, in partnership with Schächter Sports GmbH and Bundesliga 2 club Arminia Bielefeld, successfully hosted a pilot coaching session at Crosby Academic School in Johannesburg.
This initiative represents the beginning of a long-term collaboration aimed at using football as a catalyst for youth empowerment, education, and social transformation.
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The activation forms part of a broader vision to create sustainable and structured pathways that connect grassroots sports participation with education, leadership development, and international exchange opportunities.
The coaching clinic was led by Delron Buckley, a South African football legend, former Bafana Bafana and Arminia Bielefeld player, and current club ambassador. Buckley recently completed a two-week professional immersion in Germany, shadowing Arminia Bielefeld’s technical team while busy with his CAF Coaching License. His journey bridges continents, strengthening the link between European coaching standards and African grassroots potential.
The event was attended by Christof Wortmann (CEO, Arminia Bielefeld) and Nico Luft (Head of Internationalisation), who joined local dignitaries, educators, and young aspiring players in celebrating a shared commitment to youth development through sport
A Vision Beyond the Pitch
Speaking at the event, Chairperson of Committees at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Hon. Dulton Adams, emphasized the deeper purpose of the initiative:
“We are not merely launching a football clinic—we are launching a vision. A vision that uses sport as a vehicle for growth, for leadership, and for shaping well-rounded young citizens. Crosby is the pilot school, but it is also the spark that will light a much broader flame. From here, other schools across the wider Johannesburg area will also be engaged, allowing many more young people to benefit from this extraordinary partnership. This initiative is a testament to what can be achieved when international partnerships, local government, and our education sector come together with a shared purpose: to invest in the potential of our youth. To our partners—the German Football League, Schächter Sports, Arminia Bielefeld Team, and the City of Johannesburg—we thank you for believing in our young people and for choosing to begin this journey here in Gauteng.”
Hon. Adams further highlighted the Legislature’s commitment to ensuring that community sport initiatives align with broader provincial development goals — empowering the youth, strengthening schools, and fostering social cohesion through international collaboration.
International Partnership with Local Purpose
Christof Wortmann, CEO of Arminia Bielefeld, echoed the sentiment, describing the initiative as a powerful demonstration of shared vision and long-term impact:
“We believe that real progress in football starts at the grassroots level. Through our partnership with the Gauteng Legislature, we aim to share our knowledge, inspire local coaches, and create sustainable opportunities that will continue long after the final whistle.”
Building a Lasting Legacy
The Crosby Academic School pilot is only the beginning of a broader rollout that will reach multiple schools across Johannesburg and Gauteng. Planned next steps include:
- Coaching clinics for young players and educators.
- Workshops for local coaches and physical education teachers.
- Talent development pathways for learners to train in Germany through Schächter Sports.
- Social and educational programs using sport as a platform to teach leadership, teamwork, and discipline.
By merging international expertise with local commitment, the partnership between the Gauteng Legislature, Schächter Sports, and Arminia Bielefeld is paving the way for a sustainable model of sport-driven community development.
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