Ukhanyo Primary school is the only primary school in the Masiphumelele township. They play a limited amount of organized sport due to lack of facilities and sports staff. An organized sports programme will give the youth the excitement they seek, empower them, connect and give fellowship, assist problem solving skills, encourage a sense of community in the township, encourage positive team work, increase self-esteem and provide employment amongst other advantages.

This is the aim of MCC MASI 750 Sports Club project.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has generously spearheaded this project with a R870,000 donation over the next three years as part of their MCC Spirit of Cricket  drive.

Through the support of the MCC and further individual donations, we aim to give the pupils of Ukhanyo Primary school access to quality coaching, increased organized school sport, and competetive matches/tournaments through full participation. The initial donation will provide three cricket nets, which will build on the successful establishment of the all-weather running track provided by Masicorp in 2016.

This will ensure that through organized sport, learners will develop an increased sense of purpose, self-belief, teamwork, honour, discipline and physical/emotional wellbeing.

The project is lead by former South African cricketer and local resident Vince van der Bijl who is working alongside Ukhanyo School coach/PT instructor, Nceba Jonas. Nceba is currently the only instructor for 1,860 pupils. Each pupil receives one PT lesson every week, with the existing facilities consisting of one hard court netball court and a short sprint hard track and an open unusable potholed field with no posts or demarcated lines.

Despite the difficulties experienced at the school, cricket, soccer, netball, rugby and athletics are all popular, with teams representing most age groups. Most matches that are played are friendlies against other schools in close proximity due to lack of fields, funds, kit etc. Teams invariably use the opposition school’s equipment (balls, bats etc.) when playing competitive matches. Transport to every match is expensive as every match is an away game.

For this reason the next phase of the development programme is the construction of a comprehensive sports facilities development plan with three artificial playing surfaces with enhanced surrounds in the school, planned by Masicorp. The plans have been passed by the City Council, but funding is still being sought to ensure the development of the existing unusable school field becomes a reality.

The project is designed to meet the following sporting needs of the school:

Coaching personnel, transport and equipment costs and support for formal sporting instruction and competition

• An assistant coach/organizer to support the current PT instructor and sports coach.
• Two part-tine coaches for cricket and netball
• Sports equipment
• Budget for transport for away matches
• Budget for sports team kit and other requirements
• Development of competition/matches/tournaments with other schools
• A structured sporting environment

Sports facilities – cricket nets

Plans have been passed for the construction of three cricket nets, essential to the cricket development of the school. The construction is currently under construction.

Artificial surfaces and field project

Masicorp have developed a programme which will see to the construction of three artificial playing areas, parking requirements and security fencing, already passed by the city council

These facilities will allow proper practices facilities and home matches.

While fund raising for this project has begun, the project hopefully will be started once the sports development process has been introduced and is functioning well. Completion by 2020 is the aim.

The financial scope and donation request

The initial MCC funding for the project is GBP 50 000 for a fixed three-year period for:

1. the coaching personnel and general support/equipment requirements for three years and
2. the three cricket nets (a once off)

The commitment of the MCC MASI 750 Sports Club is to ensure sustainability year on year by matching and in time exceeding the MCC funding. The increase in school sport activity by doubling participation, practices and matches will need additional funding which we hope will be supplied by the generosity of donors.

Donations.

Individuals can assist the project by donating R100 or R200 (or USD/GBP 10 or 20) per month on an ongoing basis.

Our target for 2018 is to raise R500 000 and in 2019 R1 million through individual sponsorship.

You can join the MCC MASI 750 Sports Club by making a once off or regular donation through our website. Please clearly reference your donation as MCC MASI 750.