Kick4Life Academy demonstrated once again that football can be a transformative force for education and character building when it hosted its fourth annual Academy Prom, celebrating 14 student-athletes who completed their secondary education in 2025.
The event, which is a fixture on the Kick4Life calendar, brought together graduating academy participants and their families for an evening that honoured resilience, discipline and unwavering academic commitment.
The organisers recognised effort and personal growth rather than focusing solely on examination results during the prom.
The honoured graduates have been dedicated participants in the Academy’s tutoring programme, skilfully balancing rigorous training schedules with intensive study sessions, a powerful testament to their determination to excel both on the pitch and in the classroom.
Academy Manager ‘Mahapiloe Putsoane opened the ceremony by expressing deep gratitude to parents and guardians for their steadfast support throughout the students’ educational journeys.
“This achievement belongs to all of you,” she said, acknowledging the collective effort behind each graduate’s success.
Staff reflections followed, with contributions from football coaches, the Academics Coordinator and tutors, all emphasising the critical importance of holistic development.
Character Enrichment Coach Thabo Mosebekoa particularly highlighted how strong personal values help young athletes navigate the dual pressures of sport and education, a fundamental principle of the Kick4Life Academy model.
Parents delivered emotional messages of appreciation, thanking Kick4Life for developing not only skilled players but responsible and confident young adults. Representatives from the Community Programmes and Social Enterprises departments also addressed attendees, explaining how Kick4Life’s support extends far beyond football into broader life opportunities.
The evening’s most inspiring moments came during graduate speeches by Mariam Monnapula and Thapelo Mahao, both of whom received special recognition for their outstanding contributions.
Monnapula described Kick4Life as “more than just a community, but a catalyst for growth,” crediting the Academy’s tutors, especially the Sesotho tutors, for helping her overcome academic challenges. She urged her peers to recognise the significance of their journey.
“We have made it. Let us acknowledge our hard work, our perseverance, our achievements, and most importantly, our late nights and everyday prayers,” she said, before closing with a faith-filled reminder: “He who began a good work in you shall bring it to completion.”
Thapelo’s address captured the authentic reality of student-athlete life. “Today is not about finishing school, it is about surviving the pressure, the stress, the long nights, the training sessions, the injuries, and still showing up,” he told the audience.
He described Kick4Life as “a second family” and energised fellow graduates with powerful words: “We are done with school, but we are just getting started with life and trust me, the world is not ready for what’s coming next.”
Each graduate received certificates of achievement recognising their successful completion of secondary education, alongside acknowledgment of their discipline, effort and personal development during their Academy tenure.
Kick4Life Country Director Motlatsi Nkhahle officially closed the event, urging graduates to remain adaptable and multi-skilled in an evolving world.
“Opportunity favours those who are prepared,” he said, reinforcing the evening’s guiding principle: “Luck is when opportunity meets preparedness.”
Summary
- The event, which is a fixture on the Kick4Life calendar, brought together graduating academy participants and their families for an evening that honoured resilience, discipline and unwavering academic commitment.
- The honoured graduates have been dedicated participants in the Academy’s tutoring programme, skilfully balancing rigorous training schedules with intensive study sessions, a powerful testament to their determination to excel both on the pitch and in the classroom.
- “Today is not about finishing school, it is about surviving the pressure, the stress, the long nights, the training sessions, the injuries, and still showing up,” he told the audience.
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