FARPost and Lucky Star are driving grassroots football development in townships across Gauteng. The two brands have collaborated to promote football in the townships by training coaches and conducting soccer clinics to inspire young athletes passionate about the sport.
Prominent football legends, including former Orlando Pirates captain Edward Motale, retired PSL star Vincent Kobola, renowned goalkeeper coach Thomas Nare, former referee Victor Hlungwani and ex-SAFA technical director Walter Steenbok, have actively participated in the programmes.
In the weekend leading up to Youth Day, FARPost and Lucky Star visited Sharpeville, the hometown of Pirates winger Relebohile Mofokeng.
Additional visits to Mamelodi and Hammanskraal have also taken place. An event in Orange Farm is scheduled for July, with a tournament planned for September.
Anchen Lombard, the Executive in Marketing and Sales at Lucky Star, discusses the initiative.
FARPost: What motivated Lucky Star to partner with FARPost specifically for this initiative, and how does this partnership align with Lucky Star’s broader corporate social investment strategy and values?
Anchen Lombard: At Lucky Star, we believe in nourishing more than just bodies. We’re deeply committed to nourishing communities and potential. Partnering with FARPost was a natural fit because of their strong presence and credibility within the football ecosystem, especially at grassroots and developmental levels. Their focus on authentic storytelling and impact-driven initiatives aligns seamlessly with our strategy, which centres on youth development, education, and community upliftment. This collaboration allows us to reach underserved communities meaningfully, using football — a unifying passion — as the platform.
FP: What specific goals does Lucky Star hope to achieve through this partnership and the coaching clinics?
AL: Through this partnership, Lucky Star aims to achieve three core objectives:
- Youth Empowerment. Provide young aspiring footballers access to quality coaching, mentorship, and exposure to structured development.
- Community Engagement. Strengthen ties with township communities by delivering impactful programs that foster unity, pride, and opportunity.
- Brand Purpose Activation. Reinforce our role as a purpose-driven brand that supports healthy living and holistic growth in South Africa’s young people, both on and off the field.
FP: What age groups of children are the clinics targeting?
AL: The clinics are focused on boys and girls aged 10 to 13 years. This is a crucial stage in both personal and athletic development. This age group represents a vibrant intersection of formative learning, talent cultivation, and identity building, where structured intervention can have the most lasting impact.
FP: What message does Lucky Star hope to send to the communities and the broader public through this partnership?
AL: Our message is simple but powerful: “Talent is everywhere, opportunity must be too.” We want communities to feel seen, supported, and proud of the young talent rising among them. For the broader public, this initiative reinforces Lucky Star’s commitment to building a stronger South Africa. One child, one township, and one opportunity at a time.
FP: How does Lucky Star see this initiative contributing to football development at a grassroots level in South Africa?
AL: Grassroots football often lacks consistent structure and visibility, despite being the breeding ground for many of our national heroes. By equipping young players with coaching, nutrition guidance, and pathways to recognition, Lucky Star aims to strengthen the foundation of South African football. This isn’t just about identifying talent. It’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem where development, mentorship, and community involvement go hand in hand.
FP: What are Lucky Star’s hopes for the future of this partnership with FARPost?
AL: We see this partnership as the beginning of a long-term movement. Beyond these initial clinics, we hope to establish an annual calendar of development programmes, introduce school-based football education, and potentially co-develop a youth football scholarship fund in partnership with FARPost and local stakeholders. Ultimately, we envision a future where this initiative becomes a flagship national program synonymous with opportunity, excellence, and social impact.
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