SPORT

FROM THE SIDELINES

ANTHONY SHARPE kicks off with three local initiatives supporting sporting development

research by CSI consultancy Trialogue indicates that one-fi fth 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 fl ying the fl ag.

SAFA/TRANSNET FOOTBALL SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE

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 Molatwane three hours of Likhethe soccer training and development. This ensures that a balance between academic and soccer development is maintained.”

Talent identifi cation 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 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 fi ve 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 midfi elder 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 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.

Lee-John Maans

Parkview ProAM

“It all started with a couple of fun days held in May where 60 children aged 7–16 attended an introductory golf session with women-only coaches. This was then narrowed down to 30, who are progressing through three levels of coaching. Upon completion, their progress will be re-evaluated and every effort will be made to assist them in furthering their newfound skills and, ultimately, facilitate absorbing them into mainstream golf facilities.”

As to why the programme only supports female children, Maans says it is vital to enable growth, particularly among young girls, within the sports arena. “We want to grow and develop women’s golf in South Africa, creating champions like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Branden Grace to compete on the international stage. Women’s golf is under-rated and is long overdue; we have great talent, which lacks sponsorship and playing opportunities. We are delighted to be the head sponsor of such an initiative, and to be making a difference in the lives of young girls very early in their lives and careers.

CORPORATE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BY THE NUMBERS

Unsurprisingly, last year soccer received the greatest amount of corporate support by far (58 per cent), following by multidisciplinary (12 per cent), basketball and netball (11 per cent), water-based sports (6 per cent), athletics (4 per cent), golf (4 per cent), nonspecifi c general donations (3 per cent), rugby (1 per cent) and cycling (1 per cent). Source: Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2020

Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge

DISCOVERY WALTER SISULU SOCCER CHALLENGE

Since 2002, Discovery and the family of Walter Sisulu have hosted the annual Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge, which gives young players a platform to showcase their talent, at the Nike Training Centre in Soweto. Iona Maclean, head of experiential marketing and sponsorships at Discovery, says the overarching aim of the tournament is to honour late liberation leader and ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu by promoting his dream of soccer development.

“The tournament aligns with our core objectives of encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle,” says Maclean. “We choose to sponsor soccer because the beautiful game is not just kicking a football from one post to the other; it is a way of keeping fi t and living an active lifestyle. Through our association with the tournament, we aim to motivate the community to move more and live more healthily, and to do so through their passion for soccer.

“The tournament also offers the Soweto community an opportunity to enjoy dazzling soccer right on their doorstep, while providing work prospects and entertainment during the December holidays when people are looking for fun things to do.”

More than just providing entertainment for locals, the challenge has been a proving ground for many a soccer star. “Kaizer Chiefs striker Siphiwe Tshabalala, Free State Stars and Bafana Bafana striker Edward Mngele, and Bafana Bafana and Ajax Amsterdam midfi elder Thulani Serero are among those players who fi rst made their football mark at the challenge,” says Maclean. “Percy Tau, Keagan Dolly and Lyle Foster, who now play overseas, all showed their early talent at the tournament.”

Although the event was cancelled last year for safety reasons, Discovery is hopeful it can resume soon. “We are happy with the current format of the challenge and see it continuing to honour the legacy of Walter Sisulu,” says Maclean.

Iona Maclean

Lifting silverware at the Discovery Walter Sisulu Soccer Challenge.