The tournament, hosted at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg, North West province, was the first stage of the programme to be held in five cities across three continents.
The Royal Bafokeng Sports Campus in Rustenburg, North West, this weekend hosted the inaugural stage of the global Next Gen Draft tournament, an initiative that forms part of the EA SPORTS FC FUTURES grassroots social impact programme. The tournament aims to discover and develop young football talent around the world and foster community engagement through the values of football.
A total of 168 local boys and girls, aged between 13-14 years old, competed in physical matches based on the innovative 5v5 Rush mode featured in the EA SPORTS FC 25 video game, before moving on to training sessions developed by EA SPORTS, using in-game Skill Games drills from EA SPORTS FC, combined with expert tips and guidance from UEFA grassroots coaches. Under the guidance of UEFA PRO-licensed coaches, players honed their skills, culminating in a final match against local teams Platinum Stars Academy (boys) and Rustenburg Young Ladies (girls).
Following an exciting weekend of competition, four boys (Masilo Goitseone, Malatsi Orateng, Tebogo Montshing and Olerato Ramafi) and four girls (Boitshepo Mfaladi, Kgatliso Raseloma, Mamonyana Mpondo and Dineo Potso) were selected to travel to Madrid, Spain for a once-in-a-lifetime training camp with LALIGA and its clubs. The final selection was based on not only their sporting performance but also their ability to display and embody key values such as commitment, solidarity and effort.
“Every player begins their football journey in a grassroots environment and investing in this is what EA SPORTS FC FUTURES is all about,” said James Salmon, Senior Director, Franchise Activation, EA SPORTS FC. “The football family is an important community, with the power to positively benefit society and change lives for the better. We are incredibly proud to be partnering with LALIGA again, here in South Africa, and continue to forge the connection between FC interactive experiences and active play, to inspire greater participation in sport, and help discover the stars of the next generation.”
Tresor Penku, Managing Director of LALIGA Africa, said: “Boosting and empowering local communities through grassroots football has been a constant of LALIGA’s work here in South Africa for many years. EA SPORTS FC FUTURES is a unique opportunity to continue investing in community talent and to give hundreds of children here, as well as thousands across the planet, the chance to receive training and guidance from some of the very best coaches in the world.”
Emile Smith, Managing Director of Royal Bafokeng Sports, said: “For Royal Bafokeng Sports it’s a privilege to have partners of the stature of LALIGA and EA SPORTS with a desire to make a really meaningful contribution to the development of sport through grassroots. Through Next Gen Draft we can really give back to the community and South Africa at large through the medium of sports, providing opportunities for boys and girls to succeed.”
The Next Gen Draft tournament hosted in Rustenburg marked the first of five global stages across three continents, with upcoming events scheduled in:
● New York, USA: 8-9 March 2025
● Dubai, UAE: 27-28 March 2025
● Guatemala City, Guatemala: 5-6 April 2025
● Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: 11-13 April 2025
FC FUTURES is EA SPORTS’ long-term global initiative dedicated to developing football at the grassroots level. In addition to partnering with over 15 community programmes and donating playing equipment across more than 10 countries, EA SPORTS FC has created a free, online training library for coaches worldwide.
FC FUTURES is also committed to refurbishing community football pitches in disadvantaged areas, ensuring safe and accessible spaces for young players. Recent projects have been completed in Cape Town, South Africa; Malaga, Spain; Cheng San-Seletar, Singapore; and Guadalajara, Mexico.
In South Africa, initiatives like the newly launched community football pitch at the Glen Country Club in Cape Town highlight the ongoing commitment to creating more opportunities for young players.
This tournament marks a continuation of EA SPORTS and LALIGA’s ongoing investment in South African grassroots football, further solidifying their commitment to developing the next generation of talent.