Sports Academies Receive R150 000 From Minister Marais

Yesterday, 16 February 2016, Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais officially handed over a total of R150 000 to the Endurocad Sports Academy and the Rugby Performance Centre Academy in Stellenbosch and Riebeek West, respectively.

Both academies share our vision of a socially inclusive, creative, active and connected Western Cape.  They are also aligned to the Western Cape Government’s strategic goal of using sport as a constructive tool to improve education outcomes and opportunities for youth development as well as increase wellness and tackle social ills.

With Elana Meyer and Janet Welham as its directors, Endurocad Sports Academy received R100 000 from the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. As its core focus is on the education, skills and enterprise development of each athlete, Minister Marais said, “Endurocad's focus on long distance running has the potential to identify the next Josiah Thugwane, who won the Olympic Marathon in 1996; or the next Willie Mtolo and Hendrik Ramaala, who have both won the New York Marathon. Especially significant about the code is that it affords athletes the opportunity to become professional and earn a living from their sport, enabling a space for job creation.  Distance running is also a very accessible sport as it only requires commitment”.

Under the leadership of Alan Zondagh,  the Rugby Performance Centre Academy received R50 000 from the Department. 

At the ceremonial cheque hand over, Minister Marais said, “This centre will serve as the primary training headquarters of the Boland Rugby Union and the Boland Cavaliers for the next three years. The RPC will also be the new home of the Boland Rugby Institute (Boland Rugby’s Academy), as well as a training facility for various Boland Rugby development programmes including, coaching clinics, workshops and rugby camps”.

Minister Marais looks forward to officially awarding rugby players and athletics stars honed at these academies at our Provincial Sports Awards in years to come.