FROM THE SIDELINES ANTHONY SHARPE kicks off with three local initiatives supporting sporting development
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esearch by CSI consultancy Trialogue indicates that one-fifth of companies supported sports development programmes in 2020. Somewhat disconcertingly, though, that amounted to a paltry two per cent of total CSI spend for the year. While the country faces myriad challenges worth supporting, sports development remains a vital element of a healthy society, which is why these programmes and challenges are flying the flag.
SAFA/TRANSNET FOOTBALL SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
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in the PSL, National First Division, Bafana Bafana, and international soccer teams. But they are equally proud of their academic alumni, says Likhethe. “Academically, names such as Phakamani Mahlambi, Siyabongakonke Mbatha, Aubrey Modiba, Deolin Makoa, Siphamandla Sabelo, Pfano Ramadzuli, and Richard Moremi, as well as a host of learners who graduated from North-West University in the past five years, are all a huge source of pride.” Beyond the pitch, Likhethe says, the school works to create a social environment for learners, which is conducive to the promotion of integrated life skills development. “We aim to foster and sustain the behaviour and self-discipline standards expected of a footballer and respectable citizen.” On a broader level, the school aims to support the development of shared values and goals of key stakeholders, promote regional and international relations and interactions and, ultimately, promote the game of football. Last year, former Bafana Bafana midfielder Steven Pienaar publicly lamented the fact that the school, in his view, had gone into decline, suggesting that government should step in to revive it. Likhethe acknowledges that the school has had challenges caused by several changes in leadership and board members. “It is encouraging to report that the full board of trustees has just been appointed, consisting of SAFA, Transnet, private sector, community, Department of Basic Education and SASCOC representatives. We have no doubt that this is the calibre of leadership needed to turn the school around and take it to its former glory and beyond.”
Parkview ProAM
STANDARD BANK GOLF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME It’s no secret that men’s sport gets more attention (and money) than women’s sport – here in South Africa, on the continent and across the rest of the world. That’s something the Standard Bank Golf Development Programme is hoping to change. Initiated by Lifestyle Golf in association with the Women’s Professional Golf Association, the programme was launched at Serengeti Golf Estates in May this year. Lee-John Maans, Standard Bank’s head of client coverage for Gauteng, says the programme is designed to grow women’s golf on all levels and create opportunities for young females and women in South Africa to forge professional careers in the golf industry through playing ability, coaching and all aspects related to the business of golf. “It was set up to take the game of golf directly to the girls while creating Lee-John Maans an interest and excitement for the game by generating support for these young players within their communities,” says Maans. “The programme also responds to the Standard Bank Pro-Am Series’ mission, which is to drive the development of female players at a grassroots level while empowering talented professional female golfers by creating opportunities for more playing time, thereby enabling them to hone their skills further.” Maans says the programme targets girls who have never played golf before.
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The School of Excellence was founded in 1994 to provide opportunities to youngsters with the potential to play football. The school aims to identify football talented and academically competent young boys from previously disadvantaged communities and further their football and academic prowess, says Transnet Foundation head Molatwane Likhethe. “The school functions as a close-knit society of soccer talent that is developed by excellent coaches and has a unique style of play to develop differential soccer players,” says Likhethe. “The school has an academic programme that accommodates the intense physical training and coaching of the boys enrolled at the school. The Department of Basic Education stipulates seven hours of academic time, followed by three hours of Molatwane Likhethe soccer training and development. This ensures that a balance between academic and soccer development is maintained.” Talent identification is obviously a key element, with the school holding trials for Grade 7 and 8 learners across the country every year. “Information on the soccer trials is communicated on different media platforms to ensure that they have a massive reach,” explains Likhethe. “Rural and farm school learners who are part of the Transnet Foundation Sport Development Programme are also given an opportunity to participate in the trials.” Notably, the trial assessments focus on both football and academic abilities. The school has produced more than 100 players who have gone on to play
