More Than a Football Academy — A Place to Belong
Founded in April 2023 in the Sinoni neighbourhood of Arusha, Satino Football Academy gives 121 young people aged 5 to 18 the chance to play, grow, and compete — at absolutely zero cost to their families. Equipment, transportation, meals, and tournament fees are all covered.
Football is the vehicle. The destination is the whole child. In under two years the academy has produced a Tanzanian National Youth Camp player, a Young Boys Academy selection, two Chipkizi Cup appearances, and the launch of a girls' team — the Satino Queens.
Visit Full Academy Website → Support the Academy
In Under Two Years
From a flooded training ground in Sinoni to the national stage — here's what the academy has built since April 2023.
One SFA player was selected to the national youth camp in Tanga — the highest level of youth football in Tanzania. He trains with professional coaches and lives at the camp full time. A direct product of the academy's development philosophy.
A player selected to the Young Boys Academy in Arusha, established by Danish club Young Boys FD. Moving players up to the next level is central to the academy's mission.
The largest youth international tournament in Southeast Africa. U15 reached the quarterfinals in 2023 against Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, South Africa, and Mali. U13 made the semi-finals in 2024.
Girls' team built out in 2024 and made official in 2025 — bringing competitive football to young women in Sinoni where it has long been absent and underserved.
Parents across Sinoni report measurable improvement in their children's academic performance after joining the academy. Football and education reinforce each other.
Boys & Girls. Ages 5 to 23.
Six boys teams and a growing girls program — all registered with the Tanzania Football Federation.
~20 players · youngest competitive age group
46+ players · largest squad in the academy
2025 Arusha District Champions — ADFA
Chipkizi Cup 2023 & 2024 competitors
2025 Baptist Cup Champions
Senior competitive team
Satino Queens — official girls team since 2025
Built With the World
From Amsterdam to Dallas, organisations across the world have rallied behind the academy. Here's who has shown up.
A registered Dutch NGO founded by Tess Oudendijk after her time in Sinoni. The Focus Foundation manages European donations with full financial transparency and has assembled a serious Dutch network around SFA — including Ajax Amsterdam, VodafoneZiggo, and multiple Amsterdam institutions.
Visit focusfoundation.nl →150 balls & full kits donated — 2024 & 2025. Netherlands.
Shoe drive — Dallas, Texas, United States.
Financial support — Amsterdam, 2024.
Kits & equipment — Netherlands, 2025.
Officially registered and affiliated. All teams compete under TFF governance.
Danish club — established the Young Boys Academy in Arusha, selecting SFA talent for development.
Help Keep Football Free
It costs approximately $500 per child per year to run a stable academy. Equipment, transport, meals, tournament fees — all of it covered for 121 young people. Your donation keeps it that way.
satinofootballacademy.com ↗