Project leader Vince van der Bijl reports on three key areas of success for the MCC Masi 750 Sports Club at Ukhanyo Primary School.

KFC mini-cricket weekly competitions for under 7s, 8s, and 9s

The under 7, 8, and 9 mini cricket teams now play in a weekly competition scheduled for the whole fourth term, played at Fish Hoek Primary School together with eight other local schools.

The first Wednesday competition was met with great excitement. The youngsters are doing so well thanks to the mini-cricket sessions played in the quad twice a week under Teddy Nyali and Nceba Jonas’s watchful eyes.

The teams playing in their first ever mini cricket competition performed admirably and the under 8s won their first ever formal match. The keenness and excitement was palpable – we had five coaches there to support and encourage.

Soccer and netball

Nceba met the Ubuntu Football Academy and is working with them to develop a strategy which is to start in the first term of next year. There will initially be two teams (under 11s and 13s). The programme is done in such a way that the boys will be able to attend multiple different sports practices during the week.

Netball remains a very strong and competitive sport at Ukhanyo. Teams from all age groups play 12 months of the year such is the demand. One of our partner NGOs, Coolplay, held a successful netball tournament at Ukhanyo working with Nceba and the surrounding schools. It received high acclaim from those involved and may be the start of more such tournaments next year.

2018 will therefore introduce School soccer teams for the first time and expand the player base of netball. Watch this space.

Sporting Chance Street Cricket and Soccer Tournament back in Masiphumelele

Brad Bing the founder of NGO partner, Sporting Chance, has for years run an amazing street cricket and soccer event which electrifies the communities in which they operate. Masiphumelele was chosen to be involved this year.

Bradlyn Stuurman, from Sporting Chance, assisted us on the first Friday. Twelve teams of six Ukhanyo under 13 players, chosen in teams named after the Masiphumelele streets in which they live, contest to be the Masiphumelele Champions – the local final will be played on November 24^th. The teams alternate on Fridays playing soccer and cricket. Two girls have to be selected in each team – 72 learners and 12 coaches are involved between 1 and 3 every Friday.

The winning team plays in the Provincial final the following week against the best teams from Langa and Khayelitsha for the coveted Street Sport Title.