MEDIA RELEASE
3 November 2006

SOCCER TOURNAMENT CEMENTS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

The nine schools participating in the SAPREF Community Liaison Forum’s Soccer Development Programme took part in the second annual tournament of held at Dirkie Uys Primary School, Bluff today.

The CLF Soccer Development is a pilot project aimed at unearthing and capitalizing soccer talent in the South Durban Basin. The initiative was born out of SAPREF’s ongoing interaction with various members of it’s surrounding communities through the Forum and the refinery has thrown it’s weight behind the Programme by investing R200 000 over two years.

The suggestion was made at the Community Forum meetings and is a good example of how collaboration can deliver benefits to the community. A small sub group met to develop a proposal and it was decided that participating schools will be chosen from areas in South Durban.

Primary schools in the surrounding communities of Athlone Park, Merebank, Wentworth, Austerville, Bluff, Umlazi, and Lamontville were invited to send in an entry motivating selection for the programme and were selected by a panel of CLF members.

“ Amongst other things the programme provides out of school coaching assistance to learners, provision of kit and accredited training of unemployed youth as coaches.
Other areas covered include the importance of good sportsmanship, self discipline and a healthy lifestyle”, said Jomo Sibisi, co-ordinator of the programme.

Leadership skills, improved academic performance, school management and improved school and self-image are part of the long-term objectives of the Soccer Development Programme.

“The initiative has brought a range of benefits from the development of coaches and encouraging sport participation at primary school level to generating enthusiasm ahead of the 2010 World Cup”, said Sibisi. He explained that a review of the pilot programme will help determine ongoing development of the initiative in coming years.


Issued by:

Advocate Karthi Govender
Independent Facilitator, SAPREF Community Liaison Forum
Telephone: 082 566 0257