School of Sporting Excellence
The School of Sporting Excellence (SSE) selects individuals with the most promise from the schools and invites them to take part in an after-school programme, which runs daily to enhance their holistic skills and offer them the best possible infrastructure to reach their potential in life and equip them with life skills that will lead to the eventual uplifting of their families and the community around them. Moreover, once selected for the school, children are given a scholarship that includes a meal everyday, transport to and from school, school uniform, books and school fees.
Scholarships
From a rigorous selection process Umzingisi has a large pool of talented young sportsmen and women to put forward for one of its three-tiered scholarships to the school. The three-tier system is designed to capture as many talented athletes as possible and include them in the programme but at the same time to avoid diluting the quality of the school.
The three-tier scholarships: gold, silver and bronze reward the young athletes according to their performance in the selection process with a main focus on family and financial background. The majority are selected to receive a bronze scholarship, many then receive silver while those with the most potential are handed gold scholarships.
GOLD
- Full school tuition,
- School uniform,
- School books,
- Sports kit,
- High level sports coaching,
- Extra life skills classes,
- Transport to and from school,
- Access to individual case management
- A meal everyday
- Continual guidance and mentorship
SILVER
- Full school tuition
- School uniform
- School books
- Sports kit
- High level sports coaching
- Extra life skills classes
- A meal everyday
- Continual guidance and mentorship
- Access to individual case management
BRONZE
- High level sports coaching,
- Extra life skills classes,
- Access to individual case management
- A meal everyday
Coaching takes place after school hours with two hour sessions three times a week. The sessions are geared to cover every aspect of the sport and with a high ratio of coaches to student, careful attention can be paid to the specific needs of the individual sportsperson. Special focus is placed on development and progression of all individual and team skills. Playing weekly competitive fixtures has benefits for the students and also for the greater good of the school. Having competition gives the students something to work towards and a reason to train hard as a team. It also encourages them to feel proud to be a part of the school and to represent Umzingisi. They are taught about tactics and game plans and how to respect their role and the importance of teamwork.
Students are given the chance to learn about the finer details of sport and given advice on biokinetics to help their performance and fitness. To create elite athletes the students are advised to follow a set diet that will build strength and fitness during their teenage years as their bodies reach maturity.
Life Skills Programme
The aims of the school are to not only enhance sporting levels but offer a fully rounded and holistic education that equips young people with the necessary life skills to become mature adults. Students are given the kind of attention and education that is hard to achieve in a regular school. A life skills programme is facilitated to include education in HIV/Aids and how to successfully manage relationships in life. The students are educated on all issues that face young people today and taught about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, crime and gangs. Their life skills classes include a practical education on issues such as dealing with money, writing a CV and applying for jobs.
Students are taught in smaller classes where they are afforded closer interaction with their mentors. The focus is on dealing with the pressures of adult life and how to handle the responsibility that comes with their talent.
Umzingisi is confident that its students will form part of South Africa’s sporting future and become role models and an inspiration for a new generation.