Karongi Football Academy

The background…

In Nov 2024 the Rwandan FA (FERWAFA) invited our charity Scottish Football for Rwandato support grassroots youth football in Karongi District, after we had visited Karongi for 5 years and built a pitch at Bisesero.

There was no structured youth football in the district, very little equipment and few experienced coaches.

Established in October 2025…

Based in Rubengera

The administrative centre of the District with a population of 40,000 (with another 50,000 in nearby Kibuye)

Developing 300 kids

The Academy has squads at U9 (mixed), U11 (mixed), U13 (seperate boys & girls squads), U15 (boys & girls) and U17 (boys & girls). They train 2/3 times per week with qualified coaches and play festivals and matches at the weekend

The focus is on small sided games: 4s, 5s, 7s and 9s, before playing 11-a-side in secondary school

Qualified coaches

The Academy includes 2 full-time and 4 part-time coaches, all ex-players and all CAF C Licence qualified. These coaches train the Academy squads, as well as support local schools and sectors. U18 players and graduates are encouraged to volunteer as coaches. The Scottish FA and Coerver Scotland are supporting the project.

Schools and Sectors

A key to success is to establish a grassroots youth football system in the district, through initially through the 50 schools in Rubengera/Kibuye as well as the 12 other sectors/villages in the District.

Academy coaches spend time with these schools and sectors, which are also provided with balls, equipment and coach education.

The Academy organises regular football festivals for the younger age groups, and leagues and cup competitions for U13s and older.

The schools will provide the players for the Academy squads, up to U15 when the best Sector players will be invited to join on a boarding school basis