“FOOTBALL is about more than the game; it’s about building better people,” according to Ricky Weir, the driving force behind Jersey 2 Africa 4 Football and their “Life Skills in Football” workshops.
For the second time, Weir spearheaded the week-long programme in Kenya, with support from sponsor Philip Gower.
The initiative provided education to 25 local coaches and culminated in a weekend youth tournament, where coaches applied their new skills in real-life game scenarios.
Weir’s passion for combining football with life lessons is unmistakable.
“The aim isn’t just to create better footballers but to help young men and women develop skills that transcend the field – respect, resilience, teamwork,” he explained.
“It’s about giving them tools they can use in their communities and personal lives.
“Precious few actually make it as a professional in the world of football – or any sport for that matter – so coaches need to understand that they are not just there to teach someone how to hit or kick a ball.
“It’s always coming from the thread of life skills. For example, if you’re teaching a passing practice, what’s the relevant life skill?
“Teamwork. Communication. Adaptability. It’s not just football; it’s about using the game as a platform to teach life lessons.”
The five-day workshop, conducted in Nairobi, followed a model established during its inaugural run.
Certified trainers from the KNVB World Coaches programme led the sessions, weaving football practices with life skills.
Each day combined theory and practical exercises, emphasising real-world applications – resilience, for example.
“OK, say you’re a coach,” Weir said. “Your team is 2-0 down and you only have 15 minutes left of play, or alternatively your team is in a league’s relegation zone with only a few games left to play.
“How are you going to deal with that? How are you going to help your players in that scenario? That’s the sort of thing we focus on here.”
A key element of the initiative is the weekend tournament, where the coaches’ education transitions from theory to practice. Each coach mentors a youth team in competitive matches, but with a twist – every team plays the same number of minutes, regardless of their standings – highlighting the programme’s innovative approach to sportsmanship and inclusivity.
“It was a new concept for many, and there was some resistance,” Weir shared.
“But at the end everyone saw the beauty of it – particularly when they saw the camaraderie and energy from everyone around the tournament, which continued up until the final because everyone stayed to watch.”
The feedback from participants and sponsors alike has been overwhelmingly positive.
Phillip Gower’s renewed sponsorship for the next three years underscored the programme’s growing impact and facilitates its expansion.
Plans are already underway for further development, with two workshops scheduled for next year: one in Kenya’s capital again, and the other further afield in Kisumu so as to increase the initiative’s outreach.
“We are looking to find more sponsors,” admits Weir, “Ideally we want to be offering four of these courses a year.”
By 2026, Weir hopes to take the initiative beyond Kenya to other African countries, notably Uganda and South Africa.
“This isn’t charity; it’s empowerment,” Weir emphasised. “We’re challenging stereotypes about what can be achieved here.
“People say, ‘It’s Africa; standards are different.’ That’s not an excuse. The feedback and success of these tournaments prove that excellence is attainable anywhere.”
Weir’s passion for his initiative is infectious, driven by the belief that football can be a transformative tool.
“You’re giving them something beyond the game. Whether they become footballers or not, they’re learning skills that will help them in life. That’s what it’s all about.”
From the structured workshops to the celebratory tournaments, “Life Skills in Football” is a testament to how sport can transcend boundaries and change lives – one pass, one goal, and one lesson at a time.
