Levelling the playing field - offering sports opportunities to rural youth
Posted By: Transnet Foundation
10.06.2014
Transnet Foundation was created to give hope and opportunities to less fortunate communities across South Africa. A special focus is placed on youth development and empowerment through education and, more specifically, sports. This is because Transnet Foundation aspires to provide our youth with the tools they need to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Transnet Foundation was created to give hope and opportunities to less fortunate communities across South Africa. A special focus is placed on youth development and empowerment through education and, more specifically, sports. This is because Transnet Foundation aspires to provide our youth with the tools they need to become the leaders of tomorrow.
One of Transnet Foundation’s sport portfolio initiatives is the Rural and Farm Schools Sport Programme, which was started in 2002 and is currently operating in five provinces. This programme supports and encourages South Africa’s emerging talent in athletics, chess, football and netball.
The Rural and Farm Schools Programme hosts regional sporting events throughout the year, enabling adolescents across the country to participate in sport at a highly competitive level and receive performance training to improve their natural talent. This culminates in a Nationals tournament at the end of the year.
This year’s Kwa-Zulu Natal regional tournament took place at Valdenvlei sports complex Winners of this event will go on to participate in the Nationals, which takes place from 6-8 October 2014. The four main events taking place at the Kwa-Zulu Natal regional tournament includes league competitions, the under-13 talent selection tournament, covering athletics, chess and football, and finally, the 3-5 day regional camp.
Incredible opportunities await the teams or individuals who excel in their categories – these talented students will stand the chance of being selected by the National Federations and Professional Clubs. More than 600 learners will be taking part in the tournament this year, and officials and stakeholder representatives of the Kwa-zulu Natal Province will be present.
Through its sport portfolio, Transnet Foundation has tirelessly given, and continues to give, young sportsmen and women in rural communities a great opportunity to fulfil their dreams. The Foundation realises that talent is not the only factor that determines whether our potential future stars achieve success. Without opportunities to develop their talent and to be discovered, the journey from grassroots to glory is unlikely to happen. With this in mind, Transnet continues to provide platforms in which our country’s talent can be cultivated and perfected.
The regional tournament took place on the 7th of June 2014, at the Valdenvlei sports complexfor more information; please contact Transnet Foundation’s Senior Manager of Communications and Special Projects, Sibusiso Ngomane on (011) 308 2457.
