Schools on cue for pool programme

Playing pool as a sport in schools will be the new ‘in thing’ for learners on the South Coast.

The Pool 4 Change programme which was launched at St Martin De Porres School last Wednesday promises to groom world-class champs as learners from RA Engar Primary, Merlewood Primary, Port Shepstone Primary, Hibiscus and St Martins will be trained by professional players.

Six pool tables and accessories worth over R100 000 were distributed to the schools, courtesy of the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in partnership with the South African Confederation of Cue Sport (SACCS) and the Department of Education (DoE).

Pool for Change KZN South Coast coordinator, Ivan Naidoo said the aim of introducing learners to the sport is to give them a new sporting code while developing talent from a young age.

Galiek Saville of Pool 4 Change said the programme started as a community-based programme in Cape Town and has now grown in the community. “I believe that with schools involved we will see more talent, from both the staff and learners. I wish them all the best.”

In Cape Town over 3000 learners are participating in the programme and in Gauteng 120 schools are in the programme.

The DoE’s, Ganesh Pillay said the launch was a momentous occasion which creates opportunities. “We support the initiative as it is meant to develop our learners. Children need education and they need activities to support their learning and introducing pool is one way to achieve that. We are in full support and we want to see the programme grow.”

Professional pool player, Sharik Naidoo will be one of the local coaches at the school and said he will make sure that the learners reach their full potential.
The learners and school principals were excited about the launch and also tested their pool skills.

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