Sporting Chance’ s mission
As FIFA World Cup battles continue to rage across the United States, Mexico and Canada, a very different kind of global football story has been unfolding in the background, one that, for a group of young South Africans, has already been life-changing.
Team South Africa recently returned home from an unforgettable experience at the Street Child World Cup in Mexico, where a squad of girls aged 14 to 17 represented the country across football, arts and cultural programmes during 10 packed days of competition and connection.
From Durban in 2010 to Mexico City in 2026, the Street Child World Cup has travelled the globe ahead of the world’ s biggest sporting events.
Selected by the Sporting Chance Development Foundation from its football and life skills programmes, the SA team left a lasting impression. On the pitch, they finished as semi-finalists, combining sharp teamwork with fearless attack in a tournament that brought together more than 20 countries and close to 500 participants.
One of their standout moments came right at the start, with a statement win over Brazil, built on three superb goals. From there, Team South Africa continued to test themselves against the USA, Bolivia, England, Mexico and Kenya, before their run eventually ended in the semi-finals.
Hosts Mexico went on to lift the trophy.
But the Street Child World Cup was never just about football.
Alongside the matches, the squad immersed themselves in arts and congress programmes that sit at the heart of the tournament’ s mission. They designed posters, reimagined the South African flag through creative workshops, and shared music and dance in cultural showcases that ran late into the night.
The congress sessions offered something even more powerful: a platform for the girls to speak openly about the realities facing streetconnected children in South Africa, and the change they want to see back home.
Throughout the event, facilitators praised their growing confidence, leadership and willingness to participate.
That voice was carried onto the global stage during the General Assembly in Mexico City, attended by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, alongside Bono and The Edge from U2. In a proud moment for the team, Zethu Ngcobo from Khayelitsha was selected as one of only three young people worldwide to address the assembly.
Speaking after the team’ s return, Sporting Chance Development Foundation Director Natalie Pollock said:“ What these girls achieved in Mexico goes far beyond football results. They embraced every challenge, every opportunity and every moment of growth with courage, humility and pride.
“ Watching them build friendships with young people from around the world, find their voices in the congress sessions and compete with such passion on the field was incredibly special. They represented South Africa beautifully.”
Despite demanding conditions, including extreme heat and long days, the group adapted to a completely new environment, while also embracing Mexican culture, food and traditions. For many, it was their first time travelling internationally, making the experience even more significant.
Now back home, the journey continues. The players will return to their communities to host football coaching clinics, using what they’ ve learned to inspire and support others, and continuing the tournament’ s wider mission of turning sport into a platform for leadership and social change.
For more info on Sporting Chance
WWW. SPORTINGCHANCE. CO. ZA https:// www. sportingchance. co. za /
For more info on the Street Child World Cup
WWW. STREETCHILDUNITED. ORG
https:// streetchildunited. org / street-child-world-cup
Sporting Chance’ s mission
Sporting Chance’ s prime objective is to provide opportunities for sporting achievement for as many children as possible – irrespective of race, gender or social class – by offering professional coaching within all community sectors. Based on the knowledge that the foundation for sporting ability is laid during the formative years, Sporting Chance advocates and implements various programmes for coaching schoolage children.
Sporting Chance’ s philosophy is to get children off the streets, or away from their computer games and TVs and instil in them a love of sport. With disciplined, structured coaching that strikes a balance between sports, academics, and“ play”, Sporting Chance has developed some of South Africa’ s most promising sportspeople. www. modernathlete. co. za 45