Enriching young lives through new sports academy in Malvern

A sports academy was launched on June 9 at Fotheringham Park in Malvern.

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The Jenny Wu Sports Academy is the brainchild of Jenny Wu, the director of the academy.

She said the academy was inspired after she saw the potential of the youth in the area.

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“Over the years I have been involved in several projects in our community which assist the underprivileged. I got to know the community members and understand their struggles.”

“I then worked with local partners to identify opportunities that would help enhance the quality of life of those in the community, especially the youth,” shared Jenny.

The academy will provide training and coaching for soccer, basketball, volleyball and aerobics.

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The JWSA currently provides training and coaching facilities for 100 players, aged 13 years and upwards.

“Teams are currently participating in regional tournaments and have customised weekly training sessions which are held to meet the changing needs of the sports teams,” said Jenny.

The academy will also have weekly friendly matches to help expose the players to competitive play while coaches assess their development.

“JWSA is a great way to engage the community’s youth and get them to spend their time effectively while continuing to learn life values outside of the classroom,” said Jenny.

This will help drive their personal growth and enable them to reach their fullest potential.

Being part of the academy will not only instil in the youth qualities that will see them through to the future, but sport could potentially open the door to new career prospects”.

The deputy minister of sports, Gert Oosthuizen, officially opened the academy.

“I would like to thank Jenny for coming on board and contributing to the government campaign of encouraging citizens and the youth to lead a healthy lifestyle,” said Oosthuizen.

He reminded the youth about 1976 and how young people then led the country to where it is now.

He said Youth Month has been officially announced as a month of Call to Action and 2018 is the centenary year of the late President Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu.

“We will commemorate these stalwarts under the theme Live the Legacy towards a socio-economically empowering the youth.

“This means be the legacy and find the Madiba in you and build a value-based society. These three overarching calls go hand in hand with the JWSA, which aims to develop and empower the youth through sport,” said Oosthuizen.

He said the academy has all the attributes of the youth of 1976 and also has all the attributes of the late president, Nelson Mandela.

Ward 65 Clr Lindani Zulu said he was happy to see the youth in his ward being involved in sports.

“Jenny has started something wonderful for the community and I hope the youth uses this opportunity given to them to make changes in their lives,” said Zulu.

Sports gear and equipment to the amount of R50 000 were donated to the academy by the deputy consul general Qu BoXun, from the consulate general of the People’s Republic of China in Johannesburg.

The academy’s main sponsors are Condere Group, Ess Security Company and Junhong Group.

Those interested in knowing more about the academy can contact Jenny Wu on 074 962 9999 or jwsportsacademy@gmail.com

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