Tajonar Travels to South Africa to Host Coaching Workshop

Club Atlético Osasuna Academy’s, Tajonar, methodology continues to make waves around the world. This time, Tajonar was invited to lead a workshop for coaches at South Africa’s Rising Stars Academy.

During their visit, Rojillo coaches Iker Narváez, methodology coordinator, and Imanol Lobo, analyst, taught the Método Tajonar to the Rising Stars coaches and assisted during training sessions for all teams, from U-12 to U-18.

“Sending coaches beyond our borders to help train others is tremendous recognition of the work we have been doing for the last eight years,” Tajonar Director Angel Alcalde said. “It is a way for people to know us, share how we understand and feel football, and teach how we prepare our players to the rest of the world. This opportunity will help Club Atlético Osasuna grow.”

Rising Stars opened its doors two and a half years ago with the goal of providing a quality education to at-risk African boys and girls. The academy uses football to help these children grow and works with schools that offer scholarships to its players.

Rising Stars’ work is already bearing fruit, with players representing South Africa and Ghana at the upcoming under-17 African Cup of Nations. Some players are also competing in the Premier Soccer League, South Africa’s top division.

“My wife and I arrived in South Africa two and a half years ago. We noticed the talented kids here, but we also saw they were lacking some basic needs for their development, such as food and education, so we decided to start this academy to help them,” Rising Stars founder Richard McEnery said.

The academy is earning a reputation among top soccer academies in South Africa and sees Tajonar’s methodology as a mirror of itself. The Rojillo academy not only values player development at an athletic level but also a holistic approach.

“We want to work with Osasuna because, even though they have challenges with player recruitment due to their geography, they are able to bring the best out of each player thanks to their investment in methodology and development. Osasuna is the best choice because we have a lot in common regarding player development,” McEnery said.

During the trip, the Rojillo coaches found several similarities between the two institutions. Off the field, both organizations work to develop players as whole individuals, because the better they are as people, the better they perform on the field.

“What they are doing is similar to what we do. Off the field, they offer academic support and make sure the kids eat well. For players who do not have a stable family situation, they make sure to care for them. They understand that if the player has academic support, their performance will be better. In that sense, we share the vision of a holistic approach,” Narváez said.

The Rojillo coaches found a very receptive group in South Africa, ready to learn and understand the Método Tajonar, which made their work easier and left a strong impression. The trip made a significant impact both personally and professionally for the Rojillos.

“Visiting South Africa has been an amazing experience both personally and professionally. It helped me understand how people see football here. We witnessed firsthand how they worked in a challenging context, and it became a huge learning experience,” Narváez said. “The players and coaches were eager to learn and always showed a great attitude. They took time to consider what we said and always asked questions. In the sessions we led, the players were very respectful, attentive and engaged. They made the most of it. Their energy, enthusiasm and desire to learn created a great work environment.”