Sports academy keeps youth off the streets

A team of five youngsters recently established a non-profit sports academy called Stars of the South Sports, with the purpose of bringing a life-changing impact.

Stars of the South Sports Academy is a non-profit sports academy created to assist with growing and grooming well-rounded men and women as well as boys and girls through sport.

The academy is based in Bellavista and they are looking forward to people from Johannesburg South and surrounding areas joining them.

Its team consists of youth developer Daneilla Isaacs, head coach Andries Mosehle, head coach for junior team Thabo Lekalakala as well as assistant coaches Albert Meyers and Clinton Gray.

For the past two years Isaacs, who is from Bellavista, embarked on a task to improve the community’s youth through a programme called the Reading Corner.

With the help of the community, they taught and assisted children with reading and doing their homework as well as creating learning activities.

“We have embarked on a journey of bringing recreational activities such as soccer, netball, hockey and chess back home. With the help from our community, soccer players and Pikitup, we had a clean-up and we were able to get our soccer field clean,” said Isaacs.

She said they started from scratch and through the commitment of the team, they have managed to pay and raise funds for their first and only set of kit at the moment.

Curbing societal issues

The establishment of the academy was motivated by their need to curb issues such as drug addiction, alcoholism, illiteracy and crime.

They currently have 30 registered open players aged 15 to 30 years old. With 30 registered junior players in the age categories u-9, u-11 and u-13 boys, including two girls.

“As we grew, we have started introducing a few more sporting codes such as netball, hockey and chess to appeal to more young people. I believe that we are not a lost generation and by investing in our youth, we are investing in our future generation of leaders,” she said.

She told the COURIER that aerobics for some health enthusiasts is another activity they are excited to introduce.

“We now have a fully operating sports academy that also includes a skills development programme and life coaching or career guidance in place.

“This is so that we can truly invest into our team members’ individual growth and futures as a whole,” said Isaacs.
With the assistance of local Ward 55 councillor Rashieda Landis and the Empowerment Centre, they also have a Read2Play programme in place.

The programme allows players to spend Tuesdays at the centre, either learning to read, improving their reading, getting help with homework and access to research.

The academy requests any form of donations such as monetary or kits. Should you be willing to donate contact Isaacs on 061 884 7551.

Alternatively, via email on Admin@starsofthesouth.co.za