Soccer Star Edwin Van Der Sar Kicks Off Rhiza Babuyile’s State-Of-The-Art Cruyff Courts In Underserved Communities

9 October 2025, Diepkloof: Edwin van der Sar, former Manchester United and Dutch national goalkeeper, took penalties against local children on Wednesday as the first of two new state-of-the-art Cruyff Courts opened in Diepkloof on Wednesday. But the goal is not soccer.

These world class Cruyff Courts are designed to provide young people in underserved communities with access to structured programmes that teach discipline, teamwork, and life skills, while offering safe spaces for physical and mental development.

“When we revisit the previous courts we’ve launched in other areas, the difference is clear,” said Alef Meulenberg, founder of the Rhiza Foundation. “Kids who had no structured opportunities are now confident, collaborative, and developing leadership skills. Football is the doorway, but the real outcome is resilience, problem-solving, and focus, which are skills that last a lifetime.”

Rhiza Babuyile, a leading South African community development NPO, in collaboration with the Johan Cruyff Foundation, works to demonstrate how structured sports programmes can significantly boost the social and emotional development of children. The approach goes beyond recreation as it aims to nurture active, responsible, and community-minded young people.

The sites were carefully chosen in consultation with local partners capable of sustaining youth programmes. The Diepkloof court operates in partnership with the Zodwa Khoza Foundation, while the new court in George in the Western Cape court, will be opened on Sunday in collaboration with Empower. Both organisations bring extensive experience running community initiatives, ensuring the courts are integrated into the social fabric of their neighbourhoods.

Each facility will host football sessions, tournaments, and workshops addressing societal issues, including gang violence, drug abuse, and gender inequality, while also providing safe, inclusive spaces for children with disabilities. By connecting sport with life skills, organisers aim to create long-term, measurable outcomes in confidence, collaboration, and leadership.

“The courts provide more than just physical activity,” Meulenberg explained. “They offer structured routines that teach accountability, discipline, and the value of teamwork. These lessons extend far beyond the pitch. They are the foundation for personal growth and social contribution.”

The involvement of Van der Sar adds both inspiration and visibility to the project. “Having someone of his calibre here isn’t just about meeting a football star,” Meulenberg added. “It shows the children that global talent recognises their potential, that their communities are seen, and that these opportunities are real.”

Former goalkeeper from Manchester United and Ajax, Dutch international, and board member of the Cruyff Foundation, van der Sar said, “Every young person deserves a safe place to play sports. Here in the township of Diepsloot, the Cruyff Court offers more than just a pitch— it offers hope, connection and opportunity. Through sport, young people can discover their strength, their confidence, and their dreams. It’s wonderful to see how, by working together, the Foundations and local partners have made this dream a reality.

Reflecting on his own experience as a former professional basketball player, Meulenberg noted, “Most of us never reached the top leagues, but the discipline, humility, and teamwork we learned carried into every part of our careers and lives. That’s exactly what these courts are built to teach.”

The initiative underscores continued investment in South Africa’s youth despite persistent inequality. “South Africa is one of the most unequal countries in the world, but its young people are resilient,” Meulenberg said. “Every session, every practice, every lesson learned here is an investment in the country’s future.”

The Rhiza Babuyile and Johan Cruyff Foundation partnership is driven by a shared commitment to youth empowerment and community development. From the first international Cruyff Court in 2004 to the latest facilities in Diepkloof and George, the model combines high-quality infrastructure with sustainable, community-led programmes designed to make a measurable difference.

“Our goal is not just to build courts,” Meulenberg said. “It’s to build communities, nurture leaders, and give children the tools to shape a better future. These courts are proof that investing in youth in South Africa isn’t charity. It’s essential, and it works.”

Visit https://r-b.org.za/ or https://www.cruyff-foundation.org/en/ for more information.