Where Sport Changes Lives

For our sports lovers: Grootbos Foundation coaches believe in the benefits of sports and physical activity for children and ensure that they make sports fun and easily available in any way they can. Here, our coaches are supporting one of the local schools by leading a Physical Education lesson during school time with Grade 3s at Masakhane Primary School.

This activity is good for kids and is also a support service to school teachers who often find themselves drowning in academic administration and unable to deliver Phys Ed lessons that are fun and inspirational for children. Grootbos Foundation coaches help here.

This Phys Ed lesson at Masakhane Primary School took place inside the classroom because it was raining on Wednesday...but it went ahead anyway as children still benefit from releasing some of their physical energy in a fun, organised way. By moving some desks and chairs, they could make enough space to play indoors.

The teachers were grateful that Grootbos Foundation coaches brought the games and fun to the children.

After school, the coaches offer a variety of sports and games at Spaces4All, the community sports field in Gansbaai. Once children have finished their homework, they race over to the sports field for a fun, physical afternoon and a healthy sandwich and apple. Here, a group of junior players are learning hockey techniques.

If they have school tests or projects due, they are welcome to work under the care of the team at the Masakhane Homework Hub, where they also receive a healthy sandwich and fruit.

This group from Die Bron Primary School in Stanford is listening and learning some rugby rules...but obviously they prefer to learn by playing...not listening!

So a few seconds after this photo was taken, they leapt up to run and stretch their legs.

An update from the canoeing programme, where 13 members of the club are preparing to travel to Roodeplaat next weekend to race in the SA Schools Sprint Championships. For some, they have their hearts set on being invited to compete internationally after placing in the top 3 in the age groups; for others, this will be their first regatta on a national level.

For all of them, this trip will be the highlight of their school holiday and the culmination of months of training. We look forward to hearing their stories of adventure and achievement as they sprint their hearts (and their arms) out. We will keep you updated.

From all of us at Grootbos Foundation, we wish you a beautiful weekend.