Let’s Confed, Africa !

This month, in parallel to the Confed Cup, the Altus team and our Youth Sport Leaders were given the opportunity to be part of an exciting project initiated by the German Technical Cooperation’s Youth Development Through Football initiative (GTZ YDF):

“Let’s Confed, Africa!”

We organized five succesful streetsoccer tournaments with lifeskill sessions in three provinces (in Winterveldt, Mamelodi, on the West Coast and in Nelspruit) as well as our Olympic Fun Day as part of the programme.

The climax of the project was the closing event on the 28th of June which brought together streetsoccer teams including players from four South African provinces and from seven African countries in a thrilling tournament managed by our Youth Forum and won by the Africa Unite Team with players from each country.

Thanks go to GTZ YDF for involving us, to Karos & Kambro, Greenfeet and to all the hard-working volunteers and youth!

Updated: Introducing Life’s a Ball Around Cullinan

In an effort to extend our support to rural areas around Tshwane, we went to two townships around the mining town of Cullinan, famous for the largest ever rough gem-quality diamond found there a century ago. On Friday 6th of February enthusiastic local Sport Director Simon Mojapelo initiated a wonderful introductory sport and life skills event at Tshipa Tabane Secondary School in Refilwe, which we coached and sponsored. Under blue skies and with a view of the mine we had fun with Life’s a Ball: playing different sports and discussing topics such as HIV and respect. The local teachers showed great interest so this introduction should turn into a sustainable project!

On Saturday, Simon then took us to Onverwacht where we experienced the dynamics and spirit of the local senior citizens. We had a great time with them, and heartily laughed when a donkey decided to volunteer as goalie!

Update (26/02/2009): Two weeks after our introduction, we were asked to hold a Sports and Event Management workshop in Refilwe to empower the local teachers and sports assistants to start their own sports & life skills initiatives. We gladly accepted and held an introductory workshop on Feb. 26!

Altus Challenge by Dlala Ntombazana Girls Football

On the last saturday in January, our friends at Dlala Ntombazana once again highlighted their commitment to developing girls football by organizing a great tournament that was kindly named the “Altus Challenge”. Dozens of teams in two age categories played on four pitches in the Soshanguve township Block X, in an event supported by GTZ, Tshwane Metro and, of course, Altus Sport Vuma :o) The atmosphere was great, and play continued even after pouring rain had set in!

Once again, the link with the combat against HIV/AIDS was successfully made by two nurses from Right to Care who faced a long queue of youth and spectators, including one of our German volunteers – who got a veeeery tightly fitting Nike T-Shirt in exchange for his blood.

Thank you to all the hard workers who made this event possible!

Tshwane Streetsoccer Finals

On November 29th Tshwane Metro, Altus Sport and our Yout Sport Forum cohosted the U15 and U17 Tshwane Streetsoccer Finals of the spring season. It was the conclusion of leagues played all around the Tshwane Metro region, involving more than 150 mixed gender teams. As usual, the youth showed great ambition and skill. The exciting U15 final was played by LJ United from Soshanguve against the Young Masters from Klipkruisfontein. In a great match, LJ claimed victory! In the under 17’s category, the boys and girls of New City from Klipkruis were able to beat the Bad Boys from Mamelodi with excellent team play. Congratulations to all finalists, and a big thank you to everyone supporting the event.

Thanks also go to Right to Care, who once again provided free HIV testing on the side line. Demand was huge, which is a great sign of awareness in the community!

KickAids – MASS SPORT EVENT, Soshanguve

DATE
6 April 2008VENUE
Soshanguve Community Sport Field

PRESENTATION
Khensani Life’s A Ball coaches under the supervision of Johannes organised and presented the event

PARTICIPANTS
Hundred and five (105) boys and girls attended this event. Approximately 70% were boys and the age ranged from 9 – 17 years

PURPOSE
New kids were invited to experience

• new sporting skills
• Life’s A Ball games with messages regarding
    HIV/AIDS
    Environment
    Morality building

A LOOK AT THE ACTIVITIES

Some of the coaches posing for a photo

A few activities with educational messages