On the clay courts and synthetic turf fields of the Olympafrica centers, a new kind of soccer is taking shape. Through the FutbolNet program—an innovative concept created by the FC Barcelona Foundation and supported by Olympafrica—the beautiful game is becoming a powerful tool for education and inclusion among African youth.
FutbolNet completely rethinks the way the game is played. Here, the goal is not just to score goals, but to instill fundamental values from a young age: hard work, teamwork, and humility.
It is truly educational soccer where inclusion is the golden rule. Girls and boys play together on the same field, sharing the same passion. In this unique system, the winning team is the one that accumulates the most points, not necessarily the one that scores the most goals. As one young participant so aptly puts it: “In FutbolNet, everyone wins!”
What sets FutbolNet apart is the way its matches are organized, divided into three key phases that place young people at the center of both the refereeing and the decision-making process:
- Co-creating the rules: Before touching the ball, both teams sit in a circle. Together, they discuss and agree on the rules of the game (for example, deciding that only dangerous tackles will be called).
- The game: The match is played according to the rules established by the children themselves.
- Self-assessment: After the final whistle, the players sit down again to evaluate their own behavior and that of their opponents, and tally the points to determine the winner.
The impact of FutbolNet extends far beyond the boundaries of the field. Thanks to regional tournaments organized by Olympafrica, children from different countries travel, meet, and interact.
These shared experiences help break down cultural, educational, and linguistic barriers. Even without speaking the same language, the young people communicate through gestures and come together around the noble values of sport.
In FutbolNet, there are no winners or losers. When a goal is scored, everyone celebrates together.
The true success of this program is evident on the children’s faces. The bursts of laughter, the shouts of joy, and the shared dances are a testament to the immense happiness this approach to soccer brings. For the coaches and organizers, the ultimate goal is achieved when a child beams with joy. Because, after all, there is nothing more beautiful than a child’s smile.
With dozens of centers across the African continent, Olympafrica and the FC Barcelona Foundation continue to demonstrate that sports are the best way to shape the citizens of tomorrow.