Building team spirit at West Coast BTG

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) hosted the 2018 West Coast Better Together Games on 19 October at the Vredenburg Golf Club and Sports Grounds in partnership with Saldanha Bay Municipality, Old Mutual, Nedbank and Peninsula Beverages.

The annual Western Cape Government Better Together Games (BTG) is a sporting event where national and provincial departments, local municipalities and other government institutions participate in friendly competitions against each other in different sport codes. This event improves employee well-being and builds team spirit.

This year the BTG brought together 18 teams from across the West Coast district who participated in 20 codes that varied from klawerjas and mini-cricket to squash and golf. Different teams such as the Langebaan Airforce, SASSA and Labour were proudly united by the National Anthem after the traditional parade which showcased the spirit of the different teams.

Saldanha Bay Municipal Councillor, Sucilla Van Tura welcomed the enthusiastic participants and their loyal supporters and called the BTG the olympic games for government officials.  “It contributes to better relations in the different spheres of government”, she said. Nicolette Pietersen, Acting Deputy Director from DCAS thanked the sponsors who came out in full force to encourage team building and general well-being. The event was declared open by Saldanha Bay Municipal Speaker, Olwene Daniels and started with athletics, followed by cycling and the fun run and fun walk. The volleyball had to be cancelled due to the force of the wind.

The top achievers were as follows: Saldanha Bay Municipality took the lead in the tennis for males, while the SA Navy and Langebaan Airforce made their teams proud in the 6km fun run for males and females. Correctional Services were the main achievers in chess and darts and the Department of Health proved to be the best of the day in cycling. The SA Navy produced the best male and female tug-of-war athletes and our DCAS colleagues took the winning positions in table tennis for males, tennis for females and the 2,5km fun walk for males.

The Metropole Better Together Games is scheduled for 26 October at the Blue Down Sports Stadium and will be one of the highlights during National Recreation Month.

DCAS encourages employees to use sport as a tool for team spirit. Let’s invest in our general well-being and improve our potential and corporate productivity, BETTER TOGETHER.