About Urban Academy Football Club (UAFC)

Urban Academy Football Club (UAFC) was founded by the leadership of Urban Academy Private School under the vision of its owner, Dr. Estienne Jurgens Cronjé. It is the first fully school-integrated football club of its kind in South Africa, created to give young players a clear, structured pathway from grassroots to high-performance football while remaining rooted in academic excellence.

Student-First Development

UAFC’s Junior Club Programme (U7–U17) is exclusively available to learners who are actively enrolled at Urban Academy Private School.

New applicants from other schools who wish to join UAFC must first apply for admission to Urban Academy Private School, be accepted, complete registration, and attend their first official day of school before being admitted to the club.
This policy ensures every player receives not only elite football training but also the academic mentoring and support necessary for balanced growth. Classroom performance, attendance, and behaviour form part of the player profile alongside match statistics, promoting holistic development on and off the field.

High-Performance Teams

For players aged 17 and older, UAFC operates High-Performance Teams that are open to the wider public. These senior squads provide an entry point for talented players beyond Urban Academy who wish to compete at the highest amateur and semi-professional levels while accessing the club’s professional coaching standards and training environment.

The Player Pathway

Our Player Pathway is designed as a seamless progression:

Grassroots (U7–U13): Fundamental skills, values, and sportsmanship within the school environment.
Development (U14–U17): Competitive league play combined with academic monitoring, life-skills sessions, and exposure to talent scouts.
High-Performance (17+): Elite training, advanced tactical programmes, and opportunities to compete in provincial, national, and international tournaments, with a view toward professional contracts, bursaries, and scholarships.

Academic Mentoring & Life Skills

Every UAFC player benefits from UAPS’s Academic Mentoring Programme, ensuring they remain on track with their studies while pursuing football goals. This dual-pathway model equips athletes with time-management, leadership, and resilience skills—preparing them for success whether in professional sport, tertiary education, or future careers.