Best soccer academies in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa, is home to several top-notch soccer academies that have produced some of the most talented football players in the country.

These academies offer comprehensive training programs focusing on players’ on-field performance and development.

The academies also provide a structured and professional environment where young talents receive quality training from experienced coaches.

However, because of the huge number of soccer academies, it can be challenging for parents to determine the best academies for their children.

That should not worry you because here are ten of the best soccer academies in Cape Town, South Africa.

Table of Contents

1. Ajax Cape Town Academy

Ajax Cape Town Academy is a well-known soccer academy in Ikamva, Parow, Cape Town.

The academy is affiliated with the Dutch football club Ajax Amsterdam and follows the same training methods and philosophy as the parent club.

Ajax Cape Town Academy was established in 1999 as a partnership between Ajax Amsterdam and Cape Town Spurs FC.

The academy aims to develop young players aged 7 to 19 years and provide a pathway for players to reach their full potential in football.

Players who have passed by the academy include Steven Pienaar, Eyong Enoh, Thulani Serero, and Daylon Claasen. The fees payable to the academy are only disclosed during registration.

2. Badgers Academy

Badgers Football Academy is one of the top Cape Town soccer academies. It is a non-profit organization that uses donations to run its activities.

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Located in Oranjezicht, Cape Town, the academy was established to provide a structured and professional environment for young players to receive comprehensive training and education in various aspects of the sport.

Badgers Academy mostly attracts female players who want to learn more about football. The academy then teaches them about team sports, self-confidence, resilience, positivity, and empathy.

3. Ballers Soccer School

Ballers Soccer School banner — *A flag bearing the Ballers Soccer School badge. Image: Instagram/ ballers_bss*

Ballers Soccer School allows young players to excel in the sport by offering customized training sessions.

The school accepts players aged 3 to 18 and provides them with many training sessions to improve their pitch performance.

The amount needed to train with Ballers Soccer School depends on a player’s age. However, it typically begins from R1,000 for more than five training sessions.

4. Cape Town City FC Academy

Cape Town City FC Academy is one of the best football academies in Cape Town. Cape Town City FC, a team in the PSL, runs the academy.

The academy runs Dreamclub100, a program that partners with community youth to discover talents, train them, and offer assistance in many other ways.

Most players from Cape Town FC Academy play for Cape Town FC. Registration is usually free, and the club caters for the training sessions.

5. Fleetwood Town International Football Academy Cape Town

Fleetwood Town International Football Academy (FTIFA) is a state-of-the-art soccer academy in Hout Bay, Cape Town.

The academy offers a unique holistic football journey, setting individuals on a pathway for success on and off the field.

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The soccer school was established 2023 as the first African base for the successful Fleetwood Town International Football Academy. Its academies in England and Dubai have produced many professional football players.

Players who have emerged from FTIFA academies include Jamie Vardy, James Hill, Phoenix Patterson, and South Africa’s Kyle Rose.

The academy is open for 2024 applications for players aged 13 to 18 years, and one must pay R9,500 monthly plus other fees to learn with the best.

6. Hamiltons Football Academy

Established in 2018 and located in Rondebosch, Cape Town, Hamiltons Football Academy is one of the top soccer academies in Cape Town.

The soccer academy is a non-profit organization. It runs its operations from donations by well-wishers.

It aims to create a safe environment where young boys and girls can develop essential life skills and harness their sporting talent.

The school has a comprehensive program that helps improve a player’s technical, tactical, physical, and psychological development.

Coaches use all the tools at their disposal, including video analysis, to point out weaknesses in players and show them how to overcome them.

Students who want to apply for a soccer academy in South Africa can consider Hamiltons Football Academy as their best option.

7. ONE10SPORT Football Academy

ONE10SPORT Football Academy is a top football academy in Claremont, Cape Town. It offers an innovative, vibrant, and structured approach to football development.

The academy also offers players of all skill levels a perfect environment to enjoy the outdoors and progress in football.

UEFA-accredited coaches construct the academy’s training sessions to ensure players get the best training.

ONE10SPORT Football Academy accepts players between 7 and 18 years of age. The academy’s registration fee is R995. Players from the academy play in the Cape Town Local Football Association League.

8. Onesimo Soccer Academy

Onesimo Soccer Academy in Bester, Cape Town, was established to increase youth participation in sports. The academy develops young players in football and prepares them for professional careers.

The soccer academy discovers and develops football players aged from 5 to 18 years. Most academy players participate in league matches in South African football divisions.

Onesimo Soccer Academy Cape Town does not disclose how much it charges. Interested parties can contact the academy for further information.

9. Shosholoza Football Academy

Shosholoza Football Academy is a Cape Town-based, independent Youth Soccer Development Organisation. It is also a non-profit company focused on developing the football talents of boys and girls aged between 10 and 18.

The football academy teaches students soccer skills and academics. The organization aims to improve player’s understanding of the game and place them overseas to continue their football development.

Any player within the recommended age group can apply to join Shosholoza Football Academy. However, as a non-profit organization, the academy accepts sponsorships of R5,000.