Charles Renken Soccer Academy targets young boys aged between 8 to 20 years old in Kalingalinga and Mtendere communities. The Academy has categorized the footballers into different age groups who practice on a weekly basis with experienced and qualified coaches. Each age group practices according to a specified development program which the academy has developed and designed. Players progress is monitored through participation in football leagues organized by the Football Association of Zambia as well as local and international tournaments. Charles Renken Soccer Academy strives to create quality players and provide exposure to local and international football teams.

Charles Renken Soccer Academy specifically targets young boys who are considered to be less privileged and lack opportunities to develop their football career. Through the provision of quality sports programs, Charles Renken Soccer Academy is able to inspire and motivate the next generation of footballers in the target communities. Currently Charles Renken Soccer Academy provides football opportunities to over 200 boys mainly from Kalingalinga, Mtendere and the surrounding communities.

The Sports Academy is the core program for Charles Renken Soccer Academy and provides quality training sessions for aspiring young footballers. The Academy manages over 200 boys aged between 8 and 20 who practice on a weekly basis at Kalingalinga sports ground. The boys are placed in different age categories namely; U – 8, U – 10, U – 12, U – 14, U – 17 and U – 20. The U – 8 to U – 14 provide the base for the academy and has the highest number in terms of participation at Charles Renken Soccer Academy. This target group participates in tournaments and leagues organized at community level in Kalingalinga, mtendere and events organized by partners. The highest teams who are the U – 17 and U – 20 currently participates in the Football Association of Zambia youth league.

 

Partnerships are a key components for the sustaining the football programs at Charles Renken Soccer Academy. Charles Renken Soccer Academy is seeking partnerships at local and international levels who will provide material and financial support. The material support required to sustain Charles Renken Soccer Academy programs includes footballs, jerseys, track suits, boots and cones. The financial support will cover costs of administration, travel, football tournaments, league affiliation and rentals. Charles Renken Soccer Academy will continue to seek partnerships with NGO’s, Individuals, corperates who will contribute to the development of our programs. Charles Renken Soccer Academy has secured a peace of land in Chongwe district and the plan is to construct and build a Multi – Purpose sports facility which will be the first of its kind in Zambia. The Multi – Purpose sports facility will have a football pitch, a school, conference hall, business

centre, agriculture project, basketball and volleyball courts as well as a library.

NGO’s, Individuals, corperates can contact Charles Renken Soccer Academy for contributions and we looking forward exploring more possibilities of partnering to sustain our programs.

Participation and enrollment into the Sports Academy football programs is open to young boys aged between 8 and 20 in Kalingalinga, Mtendere and surrounding communities. At the beginning of the year Charles Renken Soccer Academy coaches conduct trials for potential participants. Successful candidates are selected with contracts being signed with their parents in recognition of the acceptance to the academy. The participants depending on their age undergo an intense development pathway which builds their football specific skills as well as an education development through life skills education. for Charles Renken Soccer Academy endeavors to create opportunities for young aspiring footballers to succeed by creating opportunities at local and international levels. for Charles Renken Soccer Academy will continue to seek partnerships who will create opportunities for player transfers, tournaments, competitions and exchange programs.

MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
International Team – United States of America

Founder – Peter Renken

Founder – Charles Renken

Founder – Richard Renken
Management Team – Zambia

Patron – Luckiness Biemba

Patron Margaret Chongo
Head Coach – Friday Samu

U – 19 Coach – Isaac Tembo

U – 17 Coach – Enock Kaleya

U – 12 Coach – Davie Tembo

Coach – George Sinyangwe

Coach – Merek Nyirenda

 

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.