United Through Sport Project Updates
See the latest news on the projects supported by Umzingisi below:
Umzingisi partners with Pearson High School
Umzingisi has started a very promising relationship with one of the top multi-racial high schools in Port Elizabeth. From the beginning of 2010, Pearson High School has and will be continuing to offer scholarships to talented kids brought to them by Umzingisi. The kids have to excel in sport and ideally start in grade 8 at Pearson as this works out best for their academic progress.
Warwick School visits Umzingisi
The Umzingisi rugby boys had visitors from the UK on Saturday the 24th July 2010. Warwick School is on a South African Tour from 15 July to 2 August 2010. The Warwick boys are on a rugby and hockey tour and are playing some of the top schools in the country.
School Holiday Programme Final Tournament
With the holiday camps at an end, it was time for the big tournament where the final teams from all four camps went against each other. Saturday the 10th July was the perfect day for this as the final of the World Cup was held the following day.
World Cup Period
The school holiday that has just passed has probably been the busiest we have ever had by far. Having the World Cup in South Africa meant extending these by 2 more weeks which meant more activities for us to fill up the kids’ time and eliminate any form of dullness from their holiday. Of course they had the matches to watch on TV but being there live would obviously be much better! Attending the matches was just one of the activities we had planned for the kids over the holidays. Holiday camps were lined up as well as tournaments for each camp.
Holiday Camps
Umzingisi has been running holiday camps throughout the duration of the school holidays. Each camp runs from Monday to Friday where a football tournament is held at the end of the week. The camps are comprised of sports coaching but also incorporate the YDF curriculum which coaches the kids in life skills and focuses a lot on HIV/Aids awareness.
Umzingisi boys meet Danny Jordaan
Over the Easter holidays, the Port Elizabeth North Soccer Union, commonly known as PENSU (a league affiliating under SAFA), hosted a tournament in which our U/15 team participated and came in 3rd place.
The Easter Weekend Tournament was held at the Finnis Sports Ground and the CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee, Danny Jordaan, was there to honour the event.
School of Excellence kids at World Cup Match
The first World Cup match to be played in Port Elizabeth was the Korea vs. Greece match on the 12th June 2010. As this was only the 2nd day of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the excitement of South Africa hosting the World Cup was still at its peak.
A selection of 20 kids from the School of Sporting Excellence was made for them to be part of this history. Criteria such as diligence and commitment were used to choose the lucky 20 who got the tickets to go watch the game. At the stadium, their behaviour proved just how much they deserved to be chosen for this.
Perfect World Cup Souvenir for Volunteers
Excitement has been bubbling up amongst our volunteers and local staff with the FIFA 2010 World Cup being held in South Africa. Needless to say, the country as a whole is beyond ecstatic as this is the first time the World Cup has ever been in the African continent.
Launch of Soccer Fun Bus
A new project under the A Chance To Play (ACTP) project umbrella (funded by VW Works Council through Terres des Hommes Germany) within Umzingisi is a real eye-catcher!
7's Success
Expert coaching from Springbok 7’s Rugby Captain Mzwandile Stick clearly paid off as the Umzingisi Ithembelihle 7’s team won silverware at both the Muir 7’s tournament and the Atlantic 7’s tournament at Daniel Pienaar.
Rugby Stars Visit Umzingisi
Mzwandile Stick and De Wet Barry both supported Umzingisi teams recently by taking training sessions and giving some motivational talks to the kids at the Umzingisi School of Excellence in New Brighton and the Umzingisi After School Program in KwaZakhele.
Sporting Success and Life skills
All teams have enjoyed a number of successes on the field this year, with Rugby and Netball continuing their fine form from last year and Football beginning to catch up to the others.
UK Rugby and Cultural Exchange Tour
For 14 children and two coaches from our after school program growth points the opportunity of a life time recently arose. After recent publicity has elevated Umzingisi Foundations status (including the Global Giving Campaign), a School and Rugby Club from the UK heard about our programs and made it their mission to make a difference!