Lucy Mills, GRS Business Development Manager, at the CYFI Awards ceremony at the House of Lords, London, UK.

Grassroot Soccer’s (GRS) Coach Development program in South Africa was  selected as one of the three finalists for The Civil Society Leadership Award from Child & Youth Finance International. The Civil Society Leadership Award acknowledges the accomplishments of NGOs, child and youth serving organizations, and other representatives of civil society, who have effectively implemented outstanding financial inclusion and financial, social and livelihoods education programs in the field.

GRS Coaches are 18-25-year-old community leaders trained to deliver GRS programs to youth. Through the two-year Coach Development program, Coaches gain crucial work experience and learn valuable skills to enable future employment, including financial literacy, computer skills, CV development, management, and health counseling. Coach Development has shown incredible success, with 73% of Coaches exiting the program into further employment, education, or training, and 100% opening a bank account.

Coach Development

GRS Coaches at a development session.

GRS was honored to take part in a special ceremony at the House of Lords in London on December 10, 2015 honoring the finalists.