African Soccer Development School

African Soccer Development School




Mike Steptoe (left)

The ASD is an elite residential soccer academy that trains young men 15 years and older to become professional soccer players. It was founded in 2009 by Mike Steptoe who is now 60 yrs. old Mike was CEO of Gestetner copiers in England and a business consultant before moving to South Africa and opening the Academy. His wife was a school teacher and now spends her time tutoring the players in academic and life skills so that they will be able pass the South African high-school equivalency exam.
Currently, ASD Has players from India, SA, Zambia, Nigeria, and some from National Team of Kenya. They have already placed 4 players in the professional league in Belgium and one player is doing very well.

Their coaching philosophy is patterned after the great basketball coach John Wooden of UCLA.






The dormitory is on a property named Paradise Estate. It used to be the manor house of a huge farm. After that it was run as an orphanage by a Christian family for many years. Later it was given to the SA Government who had to shut down the orphanage for lack of funds. ASD was able to rent this beautiful large house, but had to do a lot of rehabilitation as it sat vacant for many years.




Hennie & her husband Norman prepare the meals for the 30 or so players. Hennie is a wonderful Christian and explained to us how she prayers for the boys as she makes their meals. She says she seasons her meals with prayer, and sprinkles in the fruits of the Spirit as she cooks: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”

Here are some Stories:

Fayid: from Muslim background – expelled from school at 15 for carrying a gun. Both parents served time in prison as members of gangs. Now Fayid is earning his HS diploma and is getting along well with his teammates.

Dillon: His Mom was an alcoholic but after Dillon became part of ASD, she trusted Christ. Unfortunately she died in Jan 2012. He is now an orphan.

Akhumzi: Has twin brother who is not in ASD. After good nutrition you can see the difference in size of the two boys. One of his brothers “glassed” his other brother. “Glassed” means to cut with a broken bottle, usually on the throat. Fortunately they both survived the fight. Please pray for Akhumzi as he trys to share what he has been learning at ASD with his brothers.