Pho3nix Kids Football Kicks Off in Rwanda, Bringing the Fun

The Pho3nix Foundation takes its global mission of inspiring kids through sport to the next level with the launch of Pho3nix Kids Football in Rwanda. In partnership with African Parks, this exciting program provides free football training to young players, opening doors to athletic growth, new friendships, and – most importantly – the pure joy of “the beautiful game”.

Every weekend, boys and girls aged 5 to 16 take to the pitch at two African Parks locations: Gisovu and Gisakura in Nyungwe National Park. With nearly 100 kids per session lacing up their boots and chasing their football dreams, the response has been incredible.

For many of these children, daily after-school life includes responsibilities like gathering firewood or fetching water, but on weekends, football is their escape: a time to run free, dream big, and just be kids.

Pho3nix Kids Football goes beyond the game, teaching teamwork, discipline, and confidence – life skills that transcend football. And while scoring goals is fun, the program also delivers valuable lessons on environmental conservation, hygiene, and health.

Led by experienced trainers alongside local coaches, Pho3nix Kids Football builds on the football outreach program run by the Center for Global Sport in Nyungwe since 2022, which has already seen some young talents reach the U16 National Team. The African Parks partnership allows Pho3nix Kids Football to expand to more communities and use African Parks’ facilities to create a safe and structured environment for learning and play.

The Pho3nix Foundation’s support extends beyond the pitch. It funds and maintains sports facilities, provides essential equipment such as balls, goals, jerseys, and bibs as well as water and healthy snacks, and creates opportunities to engage and empower the community by training and hiring local coaches.

Pho3nix Foundation board member and Mana Group executive chairman Chris McCormack says, “For nearly a decade I’ve personally worked with African Parks to raise awareness for wildlife conservation, and sport has been a key way to engage communities. Pho3nix Kids Football amplifies the important work both Pho3nix and African Parks have been doing and aligns with Pho3nix’s core mission especially as its presence expands in Africa.” He adds, “At Mana we take pride in our vast network that allows us to match opportunities with our clients’ goals, creating meaningful connections and purpose-built solutions.”

Nyungwe National Park Manager and CEO of Nyungwe Management Company Protais Niyigaba says, “Pho3nix Kids Football engages the youth – the future protectors of biodiversity – through entertainment education, which creates fun, career and talent growth in remote villages around the park, and ownership of the park’s protection.”
The Pho3nix Foundation believes in the power of sport to change lives. Pho3nix Kids Football is proof of this with every pass, goal, and high-five.