Beyond the Pitch: Roots Impact Tournament Builds Skills for Life

The BancABC Roots Impact Programme is about more than identifying the next generation of Zimbabwean football talent. On Thursday, that purpose extended beyond the football pitches at Prince Edward and Allan Wilson, as young participants took part in financial literacy and personal welfare sessions designed to equip them with important life skills.

The sessions formed part of the legacy programme running alongside the football tournament in Harare, where U14 and U16 boys and girls from Zimbabwe’s provinces have been competing and showcasing their talent.

A BancABC team led the financial literacy programme, breaking the young players into smaller groups for interactive sessions covering saving, budgeting, responsible money management, basic banking and the importance of developing good financial habits from an early age.

The sessions introduced participants to practical concepts they can carry into everyday life and, for those who eventually progress into professional football, into careers where sound financial decision-making can become increasingly important.

BancABC Head of Marketing Melanie Gumbo said the initiative reflects the bank’s desire to make its investment in grassroots football meaningful beyond the field of play.

“Our partnership is about developing young people, not only footballers. Giving them an early understanding of saving, budgeting and responsible money management equips them with skills they can use throughout their lives. That is the kind of lasting impact we want this programme to have,” Gumbo said.

The programme also featured a session facilitated by UNFPA Programme Analyst Rose Katumba, which focused on young people’s welfare, personal safety and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Participants were encouraged to think about whether they felt safe in their tournament accommodation and whether they knew who they could approach and speak to if they experienced something that made them uncomfortable or concerned. The engagement reinforced the importance of young people having trusted channels through which they can raise concerns and seek assistance.

The discussion complemented ZIFA’s emphasis on creating an environment in which the welfare of young players remains central as they participate in football development programmes.

ZIFA General Secretary Yvonne Manwa said developing players must go hand-in-hand with developing confident and informed young people.

“Football development cannot be separated from the development and welfare of the young person. We want these boys and girls to leave the Roots Impact Programme having grown as footballers, but also having learnt something that will help them navigate life beyond the pitch,” Manwa said.

For UNFPA, the engagement provided an opportunity to speak directly with young people about their wellbeing, personal safety and their ability to seek support when necessary.

“Young people need environments where they feel safe, respected and able to speak when something concerns them. It is important that they understand their rights, recognise situations that may put their wellbeing at risk and know that there are people and channels available to support them,” Katumba said.

The legacy activities underline the wider ambition of the BancABC Roots Impact Programme: to use football as a platform not only for talent identification and development, but also for education, empowerment and personal growth.

As the competition continues in Harare, the lessons being delivered away from the pitch are intended to last well beyond the final whistle.

To take the FIFA Guardian online courses visit:
https://safeguardinginfootball.fifa.com/

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