In the spirit of ‘nothing but the best is good enough’, the Spirit International Football Academy (SIFA) (SIFA is part of the Spirit Foundation) has recruited Cape Town football coach, great Harper ‘Grompies’ Mapila. As a seasoned youth coach and teacher by profession, Grompies has decades of experience in spotting raw talent. Not only does this identification of the-uncut-diamond-in-the-rough set him apart, but he can shape and polish players’ skills into formidable footballers.

“Adding a coach of Harper’s calibre to SIFA testifies to how serious we are about recruiting the best for our players,” said Dr Armand Bam, Director of Football at SIFA. “Footballers are spoilt for choice when it comes to training academies in Cape Town, so we had to set ourselves apart. By recruiting the likes of Ian Taylor and Harper [Mapila] we are sending a positive message that we intend to give our players the very best development and technical coaches.”

Grompies’ journey in football began as a kid while growing up in the Western Cape, specifically in Langa. Inspired by his father, who was a soccer and cricket player, he developed a deep love for the beautiful game.

“I started football at a very young age, playing street games. My father would take me to big matches, and that’s where the love grew,” he reflects fondly. “My early experiences as a captain in school, where it was my job to plan the training sessions and select the teams, unknowingly laid the foundation for my coaching career.”

In 1998, Grompies’ natural coaching ability was noticed when he was selected as a talent scout for the top Cape Town club, Seven Stars. The merger of Seven Stars with Cape Town Spurs to form Ajax Cape Town allowed him to transition into youth coaching. He quickly established himself as a critical figure in developing players for Ajax Cape Town, and his work, dedication, and caring nature have had a ripple effect across South African football.

“Seeing them progress to the first team or play in leagues across the world is incredibly fulfilling. Players like Luke Le Roux, who now plays in Scandinavia, and Jaden Adams, who trained at Ajax Cape Town, are just a few of the guys that have developed into professional players with me as their coach.”

Despite the many challenges he faced, such as transport issues for players from townships and informal settlements, Grompies never wavered in his commitment as a development coach. “Youth development is key to improving South African football. If you start with a good foundation, players can go all the way, and the country benefits,” he said.

Known for his preference for working with raw, talented young players, Grompies attributes this passion to his teaching profession. “I’ve always worked with kids, and I prefer coaching the young ones. They respond better and are more receptive to learning. My approach has always been about building more than just football skills. It’s about developing responsible citizens.”

Joining SIFA marks a new chapter for Grompies: “It’s a new challenge, but an exciting one. SIFA offers players opportunities academically and in sports, giving them options for their future.

A simple yet profound message he adds to all aspiring young footballers: “Be patient.”