Penreach Sportreach makes a sporting difference

The rugby and Astro hockey fields at Penryn College were set ablaze on November 23 as children from schools as
far as KaNyamazane and surrounding areas took to the field as part of the Penreach Sportreach programme.

The programme was started in 2017 to bolster school-based sports, specifically targeting under-resourced schools in
communities which otherwise do not have access to adequate sporting facilities.

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This community empowerment programme is facilitated with the Mpumalanga Rugby Union Development
Office, Penryn Preparatory, Penryn College, Mpumalanga Hockey, the South African Hockey Association, the
KaNyamazane Hockey Club and the Department of Education.

Johanri de Jager, the programme manager: Innovation/Special Projects at Penreach, said, “Penreach supports the Department of Basic Education in recognising the value of school sport and physical education to provide the foundations necessary for the holistic development of the learner in support of the academic curriculum.”

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“This programme reminds us that participation in sport holds many important benefits. It can unite people, empower
families and communities. Sport provides challenges and adventures, gives meaning and a sense of purpose to people’s lives and offers a wide variety of career opportunities.

“Participation, irrespective of the level at which it occurs, can build self-respect, self-esteem, confidence and enhance the leadership capabilities, irrespective if you are a player or a coach.”

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The successful outreach programme saw over 300 players registering for the year end tournament, with 28 coaches present to encourage their charges on the field. Of the 11 participating schools, Maqamela Primary School scooped top honours in the boys’ tag rugby. The Somcuba Primary School girls team equalled this feat.

Tiga Primary School walked away winners in the girls’ and boys’ hockey. There were some notable individual performances and the players who stood out were Sphesihle Nkosi (girls’ hockey), Philasande Lukhele (boys’ hockey), Princess Madonsela (girls’ rugby) and Sphe Mdluli (boys’
rugby).

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These players received the honour of most impressive player in the various sporting codes they played.
There were a number of activities for players and coaches.

De Jager added that, “We held Coach the Coach workshops, hosted development tournaments as well as hockey and rugby clinics with a number of tag rugby and five-a-side hockey festivals, and also provincial trials
throughout the year.”