South United Football Academy Expands to Pune, Unveiling Three Cutting-Edge Training Hubs

Pune, 14th February 2024: South United Football Club (SUFC), Bengaluru’s privately-owned Professional Football Club, is bringing its expertise to Pune with a warm embrace for football enthusiasts. The renowned South United Football Academy (SUFA) has unveiled three state-of-the-art training hubs in Bavdhan, Kharadi, and Undri, marking the club’s expansion into Pune.

SUFA’s vision in Pune is inclusive and forward-thinking, inviting children as young as 3 years old to kickstart their football journey. South United will offer three distinct programs at these centres: the Toddler Development Program (3-5 Years), the flagship Youth Development Program (5-18 years), and the Elite Youth Teams (Under 13, Under 15, and 17). Remarkably, talented athletes in the Elite Youth Teams receive full scholarships, paving the way to the Senior Team.

Trials for the Elite program in the Under 13, Under 15, and Under 17 age groups will be held at the Bavdhan Centre in the upcoming days to identify emerging talent and integrate them into the program.

Following the success in Bengaluru, South United aspires to replicate this pathway in Pune, as revealed during a media outreach event at their cutting-edge Ganga Legends Sports Complex Academy in Bavdhan.

SUFA’s mission in Pune is not just about football; it’s about creating a nurturing environment that implements international coaching standards, enhances infrastructure, and contributes to the overall football ecosystem to foster local talent.

The SUFC leadership team, including Sharan Parikh, Director, SUFC, Terence (Terry) Phelan, Sporting Director, South United Sports Foundation, and Sachin Badadhe, Head Coach, SUFC, graced the occasion.

Parikh shared, “South United’s commitment to youth development involves building not just skilled football players but also well-rounded individuals. We aim to instil values and ensure holistic development. Every child entering our programs experiences growth as a person; we are their support away from home.”

Emphasizing Pune’s uniqueness, Parikh stated, “Pune is distinctive, and we’ve tailored our approach to cater to its youth. We aim to collaborate with existing clubs and academies, supporting each other to elevate the sport in Pune. Together, through collaboration and cooperation, we can lay a strong foundation for football in Pune.”

Terry Phelan echoed the excitement, noting similarities between Bengaluru and Pune. He emphasized the importance of grassroots development and expressed confidence in Pune’s talent pool, passion for the game, and infrastructure.

The event concluded with a glimpse into SUFC’s 12-year journey through a short film and an engaging penalty shoot-out challenge for the attending media.

SUFA has partnered with Pune-based Ileseum Clubs for their centres in Bavdhan, Undri, and Kharadi, further enhancing their connection with the local community. The Elite Programme, starting in June in Bavdhan and Kharadi, will offer scholarships to selected talents from the city.