This will be the third branch of the Spanish giants’ footprint in South Africa, following the opening of their academies at Imhoff and Sunningdale campuses, both in the Western Cape.

Generation Schools CEO and Real Madrid Foundation SA Chairman Jevron Epstein says they were inundated with applications after they launched their first two, and had to expand to give more youngsters a chance of benefitting from the programme.

“After the phenomenal response to our Cape Town launch earlier this year, with over 90 young players already enrolled and several educational bursaries already awarded, we have seen the real impact of combining education with elite sport”, he said.

“The Real Madrid Foundation is proud of its partnership with Generation Schools offering not only a top tier football academy, but a chance to transcend traditional schooling boundaries and highlight how education plays a crucial role in any professional athlete’s journey” continued Epstein.

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The launch - which will be held in Modderfontein on May 28 – will be attended by high profile dignitaries, including Real Madrid Foundation Director Andres Muntaner Burrajo as well as the Spanish ambassador to South Africa Jose Garcia.

“We will have special guests from Real Madrid explaining the process of how our football academy will align with educational goals and outcomes, ensuring that we do not only find the best talent in South Africa to set the world stage alight, but we allow for them to obtain the academic outcomes richly deserved by these young and passionate individuals”.

To date, seven full education bursaries have been awarded, including six with fully covered accommodation. At the same time, six 50% academic bursaries have been granted.

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