Departments Boost School Sport in the Western Cape

School sport is a feeding ground for our young athletes to break into their community-based sporting clubs and, potentially, our national teams. This was the message from the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Dr Ivan Meyer, at the Western Cape School Sport Budget Luncheon ceremony in Kuils River on Saturday, 18 May 2013.

An amount of R1 120 000, as well as sporting equipment, was allocated and handed over to the Western Cape Provincial Sport Confederation to support school code-specific sport structures in the province this year. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) jointly presented a presentation on the way forward and the School Enrichment (SE) programme. Sport representatives also engaged in discussions with the presenters. Roles and responsibilities of both departments were clearly defined.

Dr Meyer said he is delighted to see DCAS and WCED working together towards the vision of an active and winning nation. “This partnership strengthens and leverages our efforts to give our learners an enriching experience on the field. School sport plays a key role in uplifting and uniting communities. I see a great revolution in sport in the province,” he said. Dr Meyer also encouraged coaches to support DCAS’s initiative of taking sporting codes to the streets.

The Western Cape Government is committed to investing in the youth by providing them with access and opportunities in sport. DCAS Director of Sport Development Mr Paul Hendricks said he is confident the funds will assist the various partners to provide the youth with sport development programmes at the Mass participation, Opportunity and access, Development and growth (MOD) Centres, as well as a value-based learning experience this year.

Presenting the SE programme, Mr Dennis Pillay of the WCED encouraged all schools to register for school sport leagues in the province, to participate in at least four enrichment activities and to become actively involved in intra-school sports. The provincial government’s investment in school sport will go a long way towards contributing to the development of outstanding athletes in the future, better together.