Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there’

The Goal is a football organisation based in Eldorado Park which was founded to transform the lives of young children and youth by providing safe spaces and educational programmes that promote character development, encourage literacy and healthy lifestyles through the game of football.

The organisation serves the Eldorado Park community and Regents Park in the greater metropolitan region of Johannesburg.

The Goal is proud to represent South Africa at this year’s FIFA Foundation Festival in Moscow, Russia. The festival is an official event of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and will be taking place from June 23 to early July.

An estimated 48 delegations representing development through football organisations from around the world will converge in Moscow to celebrate the power of football for social change. The delegation of six young people from the Goal in Eldorado Park will participate in a football tournament characterised by fair play as well as activities promoting intercultural exchange and knowledge sharing.

This year’s festival aims to impart values and life skills to the participants who were selected by virtue of their great leadership potential and their positive contributions to their respective communities. The delegation’s aim is to help tackle a variety of social issues, ranging from homelessness in the UK and landmines in Laos, to HIV/AIDS education in South Africa and responsible citizenship in Brazil.

During the festival, participants will have the opportunity to exchange best practices, play football and enjoy a unique intercultural experience together in the context of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It will be a celebration of football for hope with a focus on the social dimension of the game.

The six youngsters who will be representing the Goal South Africa are Shane Springfield, Curston Vassen, Gleneille Sweetland, Britney Williams, Taylor Granciol and Delano Thole. The lucky team will be departing for Moscow on 21 June.