Give a Chance to Make a Change: Visit with Sporting Chance
“An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.”
During my visit to Cape Town, I visited with an organization called Sporting Chance at its programming in Constantia Public School. Sporting Chance believes that sport speaks a universal language, which breaks down barriers and cuts through income and ethnic divides. Sporting Chance has developed remarkable initiatives to promote athletic activity in schools - particularly underserved schools who do not have funding for physical education.
“There is research that lifestyle norms are established by age 12, meaning that appreciation for physical activity must be rooted at school-age. ”
Sporting Chance depends on empirical knowledge that the foundation for sporting ability is laid during the formative years. Specifically, there is research data that lifestyle norms are established by age 12. This underscores the objective for my Eisenhower Fellowship project, which is to advocate for and implement fitness and wellness programs for school-age children that are healing-centered, culturally sensitive and promote whole person health in a manner that would motivate kids to develop life skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.
I spoke with Natalie Pollock, General Manager of Sporting Chance. I also met with one of the Sporting Chance coaches, Courtney Klein. Natalie explained that Sporting Chance offers a broad range of fee-based coaches services and has also established a not-for-profit foundation to provide services for free to those who need them. The foundation does many things, such as provide coaches in schools without a dedicated physical education instructor and host weekly street sports activities, holiday coaching services over school breaks, and signature sporting events.
One particular program that has been impactful is the partnership with Disney Africa for the Disney Healthy Happy Play program. So far, they have empowered 25 underserved schools to embed physical education into their curriculums by painting a fun and creative fitness circuit tool on the playground for educators and learners using Disney characters and stories as inspiration.
“Participation in [physical education] will nurture positive attitudes and values that will assist learners to be physically fit, mentally alert, emotionally balanced and socially well adjusted. ”
Sporting Chance’s prime objective is to provide opportunities for sporting achievement for as many children as possible – irrespective of race, gender or social class – by offering professional coaching within all community sectors. It is the belief in the power of sport to positively change young lives that has motivated Sporting Chance since it was established in 1990. Since it’s exception, Sporting Chance has worked with over 250,000 children, including many in over 55 under resourced schools, and has grown to become a leading sports coaching and development organization in South Africa. I have personally contributed to the Sporting Chance foundation. If you would like to learn more, please visit https://www.sportingchance.co.za.
