Kyle Ludick

Football in South Africa, was a powerful symbol of resistance and unity, fighting against the apartheid regime. Although, the South African national team saw early international success post-apartheid, this masked deeper systemic issues over the following years, with the South African game suffering from poor infrastructure, lack of financial support, and socio-economic inequalities. The absence of political interest and investment has left the sport in stagnation, resulting in the deterioration of its development and has limited opportunities for players. This research report proposes a high-performance centre for footballers, taking a holistic approach to developing players, that include sports nutritionists, psychologists, coaches and trainers that are all essential for optimal footballer development. Accessibility and inclusivity are a main goal of the project; by positioning the project in an area like Frankenwald, it provides access to high-level equipment to young footballers and begins “Crossing the Divide” between areas like Sandton and Alexandra.