VfB Stuttgart, foundation partner Viva con Agua and the Legends Football School joined forces recently for the third time as part of an initiative focusing on football, education and access to clean water in Cape Town.
From 29 April to 3 May 2025, children and young people were taught about social values and health awareness through the medium of sport. The aim was to create prospects, impart knowledge and raise awareness of the issue of clean drinking water.
Successful football camp for 60 children
The event kicked off with a three-day football camp on the Camp Bay FC premises, where 60 children and young people between the ages of six and 15 took part with great enthusiasm and commitment.
Coaches from the VfB academy led a number of training sessions and eagerly taught the young participants the basics of technique, shooting and match organisation.
One particular highlight was the WASH station, overseen by trained Sports4Development coaches, where the importance of water, hygiene and sanitation was communicated in a fun and creative way.
Another memorable experience was the Nina Manzi shower bus - a mobile shower and sanitary trailer for people without access to hygiene facilities. Here, the children experienced first-hand just how life-changing clean water can be.
Click here for more information: vivaconagua.org.za/water-for-all
Training for local coaches
On 2 May, the focus shifted to the people who work with children and young people on a daily basis and accompany them on their journey. Eighteen local coaches from different regions, who work at a variety of levels from youth to professional football, gathered to learn from and with each other.
The VfB academy coaches gave stimulating insights into everyday life in the Bundesliga, the club’s youth training centre and modern approaches to youth development. That was followed by an open Q&A session in which participants could voice individual concerns and everyday challenges, sparking honest exchanges, new points of view and mutual development.
Celebrating community at a public viewing
The event came to an emotional end with a public viewing of VfB’s Bundesliga match against FC St. Pauli. Approximately 30 guests, comprising children, parents, coaches, Viva con Agua employees and VfB fans, gathered at the Villa Viva in Tamboerskloof to watch with excitement as VfB earned a 1-0 win. Four guests celebrated the result with particular enthusiasm as they had correctly predicted the final score and received a VfB Champions League jersey as their prize.
More than just a game
Projects such as this underline the continued, years-long commitment of VfB Stuttgart and the club’s partners to social participation, education and fair access to water - both domestically and internationally.
