BACKGROUND
Charles Renken Soccer Academy was founded in 2012 by a Zambian football player who is currently playing in the United States Soccer league. It was founded based on the need to provide sports opportunities to less privileged young boys aged between 12 and 20 in Kalingalinga and Mtendere communities.Various studies have shown and illustrated that using football and recreation to engage young people offers an alternative to avoid risky behaviours. Sports and football to be specific can lessen bad vices which affect young people in communities. Sport can further lessen negative peer pressure through the values it promotes that include aspects of fairplay, team work and friendship.
Charles Renken Soccer Academy uses the mobilzing power of football Change the lives of young people through provision of quality football development programs. The target communities are considered to be under developed and the majority of people live on less than 1US$ per day. The communities are faced with various social development issues that include lack of education for young people, poverty, poor sanitation, teenage pregnancies and early marriages. The target communities host the majority of less privileged young people who are considered to be at risk and vulnerable.
There are alot of child headed homes in the target communities and this is due the fact that their parents or guardians have past away. HIV/AIDS and other water borne diseases continue to take away the lives of productive young lives who can potentially contribute to national and community development. Charles Renken Soccer Academy was founded on the basis and need to use football as a tool to overcome some of the socal development issues affecting the target communities and young people at large. Football brings large masses and Charles Renken Soccer Academy will harness the mobilizing power of football to build the next generation of quality footballers. The academy is built on the concept of unity, progress, and promoting professionalism. These principles guide the day to day activities of the organization. Charles Renken Soccer Academy will aim to use football as a tool for education, community mobilization and education. Charles Renken Soccer Academy believes that every child has the right to play to football. Football teaches core values of teamwork, fair play, social integration and can be used to promote peace as well as a lesson for life. Charles Renken Soccer Academy is continue to use both formal and non formal education strategies to reach to our target group through football.
Charles Renken Soccer Academy 