Time to get the ball rolling. NY Cosmos forward, Lucky Mkosana, is ready to jump start his own soccer academy in his hometown (Plumtree, Zimbabwe) to give underprivileged youth the chance to develop and showcase their soccer skills.  

 

“It’s been my goal since I left Zimbabwe in 2007, to give back to my community.” 

 

Lucky noticed not much had changed in Plumtree during a visit in 2015. “In terms of the soccer industry, I saw kids still struggling just to kick a soccer ball around or find someone interested in developing them.” 

 

That experience motivated Lucky to bring soccer balls back home. He then decided he would train and play with the kids two to three times a week, teaching them the basics of the sport as some had never touched or juggled a soccer ball.

 

 

“Whenever I saw the kids with the soccer balls, it made me happy because I know exactly what they’re going through,” said Lucky. 

 

At Bridging Youth through Soccer Academy (BYS) in Plumtree, children will now get the chance to train all-year round and be guided through a mentorship program that will also emphasize the importance of an education. 

 

“The idea is to get rid of that stigma back home where people believe that soccer players are not dedicated or good at school,” said the 30-year-old. “We want the kids to realize they can dedicate themselves to school and play the game.” 

 

Lucky was fortunate to receive a scholarship to attend school in the US and further develop as a soccer player after participating in a two-day event in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. He graduated from Dartmouth College with a concentration in International Development and further pursued an MBA in Sports Management with Real Madrid Graduate School, where he polished his skills at working with and developing communities.

 

BYS is an officially established organization, which has set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for its very first annual BYS Academy U14 tournament, set to take place this December. Six local teams, some currently training and attending Lucky’s former primary school, Red Alan Redfern, as well as other children from the most vulnerable sectors in Plumtree will partake in this one-day tournament. Funds raised will cover costs for soccer balls and books for participating schools, team transportation, food and drinks, and individual and participation prizes. 

 

The goal is to recruit enough players to hold scrimmages. Ages will vary anywhere from eight to 14 years, but Lucky hopes to establish different age groups as the academy continues to expand in the future. Once selected to form part of BYS academy, players can look forward to opportunities like study abroad scholarships and possible professional playing opportunities. 

 

 

Though it’s still in its early stages, BYS plans to partner with other local schools in Plumtree and nearby towns, as well as local businesses, to provide the youth with proper tools to excel in class as well as on the field. 

 

BYS has already received equipment donations through friends Lucky has worked and played with in the past in other soccer youth academies, as well as the Cosmos’ official Physical Therapy Practice, Peak Performance. The Cosmos front office have already committed to collaborate with BYS through donations of training gear, Cosmos jerseys and other apparel, which finalists in the U14 tournament will get to keep.  

 

“There’s no better club to partner with than the NY Cosmos, which is well-known back home,” said Lucky. “The kids know about Pelé and other players. They know this is a legendary club. So, the idea that BYS will be partnering with a global brand like the Cosmos is really important for me.” 

 

Cosmos teammate and goalkeeper, Jimmy Maurer, has already collaborated with gloves. Lucky also seeks the advice and bounces around ideas with teammate and former classmate, Andrés Flores, who graduated with Lucky from Real Madrid Graduate School. “Even if it’s a small idea, I can run it by Andrés and he lets me know what he thinks,” said Lucky.  

 

 

Lucky looks forward to further developing Bridging Youth through Soccer Academy and serve as a platform for the youth in Plumtree and Africa to demonstrate their potential and to grow as professionals, both on and off the field.  

 

“I know it’s not going to easy, since it’s a big project. However, I look forward to investing more time into it and working with people who care for the cause.”

 

To learn more about the Lucky’s Bridging Youth Through Soccer and to donate, visit his GoFundMe page.