SportSmart Futures
Programme Case Study
The SportSmart Futures Programme combines sport, entrepreneurship, and personal development to help young people build confidence, leadership skills, and pathways to sustainable livelihoods.
112+
YOUTH ENGAGED
03
COHORTS
R24,000+
SEED CAPITAL PLEDGED
Why This Project Matters
R50
Billion
Estimated contribution of sport to the South African economy annually.
Source: EMW Global – Around the world: South Africa Report
Yet many young athletes, coaches, and volunteers struggle to access sustainable economic
At the same time, South Africa’s informal economy
supports over 3 million livelihoods.
The challenge is not potential.
The challenge is connecting young people to
opportunity.
The SportSmart Futures Model
Four editable stages connect sport participation to sustainable economic pathways.
Sport
Leadership
Discipline
Teamwork
Personal Development
Personal branding
Confidence
Self-belief
Communication
Entrepreneurship
Business fundamentals
Opportunity identification
Pitching
Sustainable Livelihoods
Micro-businesses
Coaching opportunities
Employment readiness
Future pathways
See The Impact
See how sport becomes a pathway to entrepreneurship, leadership, and opportunity.
Real Stories. Real Growth
Hear directly from participants whose journeys challenged limiting beliefs and unlocked new possibilities.
The Business & Brand Boosters
Develop ideas
>
Pitch concepts
>
Coaching & feedback
>
Ideas recognised
>
Seed capital pledged
R24,000
Seed capital pledged to Business Booster winners
Programme Impact
Snapshot
112
YOUTH PARTICIPANTS
03
COHORTS DELIVERED
12
WEEKS PER COHORT
R24,000
SEED CAPITAL PLEDGED
Multiple
MICRO-BUSINESSES LAUNCHED
1
SHARED VISION
Powered By Collaboration
The SportSmart Futures Programme demonstrates what becomes possible when organisations from different fields of expertise collaborate around a shared vision for youth development.
The SportSmart Futures Programme (SSFP) is implemented by Lucha Lunako in partnership with CATCH Trust and forms part of the Sport for Education and Sustainable Livelihoods in Africa (SESLA) initiative. SESLA is a joint initiative with funding partners Laureus Sport for Good, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and Comic Relief.
Invest in the Next Generation of
Sport-Driven Entrepreneurs
Support the expansion of the SportSmart Futures Programme and help create more pathways to
opportunity through sport.
