ONE DAY WE WILL COME FROM CRUSHING GRAPES TO CRUSHING AFRICA

Nestled in the rolling vineyards and scenic landscapes of Stellenbosch, known for its picturesque views, and greenery, lies a football story of passion, resilience, and triumph.
The journey began with Vasco Da Gama FC, a team with a rich history but limited success on the national stage. In a strategic move in 2016, the team was relocated to Stellenbosch, not only leading to a transformative rebrand to Stellenbosch Football Club, but introducing the Winelands to their first ever professional football team.

The Journey To Premier Soccer League

Starting in the First National Division in their maiden season, Stellenbosch faced numerous challenges, ending their maiden campaign in third place, narrowly missing out on promotion to the top-flight. Following an unsuccessful attempt to gain promotion, the club parted ways with incumbent coach Sammy Troughton and replaced him with Steve Barker, who had previously been appointed as an assistant coach mid-way through the season.
 

This ultimately led to a change in ownership in August 2018 when the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, owned by billionaire Johann Rupert's Remgro, purchased the club to usher in a new era. However, with unwavering dedication and a supportive community, they steadily climbed the ranks. Their hard work paid off in the 2018/2019 season when they won the league, earning a coveted promotion to the Premier Soccer League (PSL). “We had a five year plan to get the team into the PSL, we achieved it in one year under the new ownership”

The PSL became a new giant to conquer, with Steve and his men receiving a baptism of fire, after narrowly surviving the relegation axe in the first two seasons. One may assume
those seasons were a failure, however for Barker, that was the very foundation necessary for what was to come. The next three seasons marked a turn around, where the chargers
steadily finished in the top eight consistently, and most recently achieving a historic feat-winning a maiden major trophy, the Carling Black label Cup and finishing third on the log
table, marking their most successful term to date. That performance earned the 56 year old tactician the PSL Coach of the Month accolade, alongside his lethal forward Iqraam Rayners, who bagged the Player of the Month award.

“We were working to be a team that is consistent”
 

The Magic Of The Barker Last Name

Hearing the ‘Barker’ last name, easily draws your attention to the legendary Clive Barker, who led the South African National Team to their first Africa Cup of Nations in 1996.
Dubbed the “The Dog” , since the 1970’s Clive coached numerous clubs in South Africa including Durban City, Manning Rangers, AmaZulu (Zulu Royals) and Santos Cape Town,
before his call-up in 1994 to the national team. Following his exploits on SA football, he sadly passed away on 10 June 2023, at the age of 78. Although his son John Barker (a filmmaker) didn’t follow in his sporting footsteps, one family member bore the mantle. His nephew, Steve Barker.
 

“I was very proud of my uncle after winning AFCON, and how dealt and treated his players” Growing up in Durban, Steve’s father was part of the military which resulted in the family
moving around a lot, resulting in the family living in various cities such as Windhoek and Potchefstroom. Steve later joined the Airforce football team and the South African National
Defence Force football team whilst still doing his service. In the professional league, he plied his trade at Wits University and Supersport United before hanging his boots in 2006
and picking up his coaching badge.

Coach Steve joined the academy team of the University of Pretoria, then took over the first team in 2008. He enjoyed early success as a tactician after the promotion of Tuks to the
Premier Soccer League in May 2012. He left AmaTuks in November 2014 to have a shortstint at AmaZulu. He finally found his home after Stellies came knocking in 2016 and struck gold in 2018/2019, after promoting his second team into top flight football.

When his not dominating on the field, his a devoted husband, and a father of three sons and a daughter. Family for Barker centres his entire universe. “My daughter is in Grade 11 and she inspires me because she works so hard, but Clive will always be an inspiration “

Key Ingredients For Stellies Success

Following the acquisition of the team by the Stellenbosch Academy of Sports (SAS), the Maroons gained access to state of the art training facilities and strategic partnerships. Steve believes that establishing a good development structure and good high performance centre played a pivotal role in the success of the team.

10 key focus areas:

1. Established good Diski Challenge Program (U21 development team).
2. Relocated Diski players to reside at SAS.
3. Focused on tactical and physical development, through sports science and high
performance department.
4. Have one team that plays in two different locations (Diski team + 1st team).
5. Intentionally have a small squads with less than 28 players, in order to make room for
development players to easily gain promotion and a place in the 1st team.
6. Have integrated training sessions with development and 1st Team.
7. Established a player support program.
8. Hired a Sports psychologist.
9. Brought in a none-denominational Pastor to support players spiritual wellbeing.
10. Data focused recruitment.

Their Diski Challenge team are two times league winners in 2021/2022 and 2023/2024.

Their trophy cabinet also includes the Next Gen Cup which they won in 2022 in England.

Recently, the club announced the launch of Stellenbosch Football Club Ladies team, after purchasing the franchise status of neighbouring partners, Stellenbosch University.
The team will have head coach Nathan Peskin at the helm, and will compete in the SASOL Women’s League. The Winelands club chose to be different from other teams in how they approached football and recruitment. 

“We are a good and unified club"