Official launch of a brand-new resurfaced sports pitch in Gansbaai

Grootbos Foundation celebrated the official launch of a brand-new resurfaced artificial pitch at Gansbaai's sports facility, Spaces for Sport, on 29 January 2025.  This moment was not only a celebration of the newly resurfaced pitch and the generous donors, Premier League, Grootbos Foundation and Rhino-Turf, who made this community initiative possible but also the legacy of 16 years of youth development through sports, facilitated by Grootbos Foundation since 2008. 

The Spaces for Sport field was built in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and has been used daily for free sports coaching, school sports programmes, and life skills development for 16 years. A fresh new pitch will not only be the site of another 16 years of youth development through sport but also a reinvestment in the greater Gansbaai community. 

The pitch was formally launched with addresses from Dr Annalie Rabie, Overstrand Executive Mayor; Michael Lutzeyer, founder of Grootbos Foundation; George Barrett, Country Director for the British Council; Nick Perchard, Director of Community at the Premier League and Premier League Ambassador, Richard Scudamore; and William Allen from Rhino-Turf.

Western Cape Minister for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, officially opened the pitch by cutting the ribbon, marking the ongoing collaboration between public, private, and non-profit organisations for the benefit of the youth in Gansbaai.

Celebrity soccer star and coach, Shaun Bartlett, made a guest appearance with a team from SuperSport's and music by the Sharky Band from Gansbaai Academia brought a wonderful, local flavour to the launch.  Perhaps most valued by the community was the presence of the Premier League Trophy, considered the V-VIP of the event. All attendees were welcome to take photographs with the trophy which was accompanied by two dedicated ambassadors from the Premier League. Reggie the Rhino, mascot and ambassador of Rhino-Turf, was also in attendance.

In the days leading up to the launch, 32 local teachers and coaches from schools and sports clubs completed a Premier Skills programme which trains and equips people to become community coaches able to deliver physical education and multisport training in their communities. This 2.5-day training will directly improve the quality of sports training and physical education received by children in Gansbaai and the Overstrand. The training culminated in a showcase event where participating community coaches were able to show off their newly acquired skills with a group of 90 enthusiastic children from Laerskool Gansbaai, Masakhane Primary and Gansbaai Primary School.

As a special surprise, Mzi Matiwane, Head Football Coach at Grootbos Foundation, was honoured by the Premier League for his ongoing commitment to community development through football and received the prestigious Premier League Community Captain award, as part of their 'More Than A Game' campaign. He is the first person to receive this honour outside of the UK.

The launch of this new soccer/ hockey pitch is a symbol of hope for youth, a promise of opportunity through sport for the future, and a testament to the power of partnerships like this one between Premier League, Grootbos Foundation, Rhino-Turf and the Overstrand Municipality which has lasted for 16 years. Sport provides hope, joy and opportunity to Gansbaai.

(Pictures: Grootbos Foundation) 
Penelope Goemans
Communications Officer: Grootbos Foundation