MURRAY & ROBERTS JACK CHEETHAM MEMORIAL AWARD GOES TO KWANOBUHLE
HOCKEY
| The 2007 Murray & Roberts Jack Cheetham Memorial Award was
presented to the Kwanobuhle Hockey development program from the Eastern
Cape at a gala event in Sandton last night (25 September).
In partnership with the South African Sports Confederation and
Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and Sowetan newspaper, Murray & Roberts
selected the Kwanobuhle Hockey development program in recognition of its
excellence and significant community impact.
The Jack Cheetham Memorial Award was initiated by Murray & Roberts 25
years ago in recognition of the special qualities of Jack Cheetham, a
former director of the company and the inspirational captain of the
South African cricket team in the 1950’s who was able to instill in
young people the belief that they could win. In recent years, the award
has targeted sports development projects, focusing on individuals or
teams that have the potential to be champions. |
Winners of the Jack Cheetham Memorial Award |
The Kwanobuhle Hockey development program operates from the
impoverished area of Kwanobuhle near Port Elizabeth. Under the visionary
leadership of teacher Gary Dolley and a team of dedicated volunteers,
the program has revived the once dormant Kwanobuhle multi-purpose sports
facility into a thriving hub of sports development and community
participation. It has developed partnerships with 25 primary schools in
the area enabling 750 children to receive professional hockey coaching
and participate in regional leagues. High schools have also been
targeted for inclusion.
| Coaching is provided by Jeremy Mambalu, a product of the program and
an excellent role model and mentor for younger players. To ensure
sustainability, the Under 16 players coach younger players and provide
umpiring services. Ex-provincial players work as volunteers. Dolley
recently returned from a visit to Holland where he studied advanced
coaching methods and he has introduced a coaching leadership certificate
course for teachers in the community to strengthen their capacity.
Six teams participate in the Eastern Province schools league where
they compete against more privileged schools – the Girls Under 11 team
is currently unbeaten and the Boys Under 13 team is unbeaten in the
local LoveLife Games. Fifty of the top performers are in a high
performance program where they receive intensive coaching and mentoring.
|
Second Place |
Unemployment in Kwanobuhle is estimated to be 50% and the community
has a high incidence of HIV/Aids. To ensure that the boys and girls who
participate in the program receive emotional, academic and social
support, the program has developed partnerships between participating
schools and various life skills organisations, and is considering an
arrangement with a school in Port Elizabeth which offers the potential
of educational bursaries.
| “The Kwanobuhle development program is achieving excellence in the
sport of hockey and is also using hockey as a vehicle to transform the
lives of hundreds of young people in the community. With additional
resources, we believe that the program will have an even greater
impact,” said Sean Flanagan, executive director of Murray & Roberts and
convener of the panel of judges.
The award, which includes a floating trophy and prize money of R500
000 over a period of five years, was presented by respected South
African rugby player, Pierre Spies.
|
Third Place |
|
