ONE-HUNDRED-AND-FIFTY youth from Ward 68 came together for a fun-filled day at the Austerville Swimming Pool recently. The event, organised by the Ward 68 Sports Confederation, aimed to encourage youth to develop an appreciation for fitness in the community.

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The day was guided by a group of dedicated fitness instructors, sports coaches and youth leaders from within the community, who volunteered their time to lead the children through a variety of exercises while also promoting lifestyles centred on health and activity.

The post that sparked it

Neil Axford, the chairperson of the confederation and the person behind the event, explained that the idea originated from a relatively simple social media post that showcased the pool’s appeal.

“It began simply with a social media post showcasing the beauty of the Austerville Swimming Pool. That post drew numerous comments, with one noting that the facility was underused. This observation caught the attention of fitness coach Marvin Pretorius, who engaged in a conversation online about how to better utilise the pool to serve the community’s needs,” said Axford.

The mission

Encouraged by this exchange, the confederation moved rapidly to turn the idea into reality. They reached out to the eThekwini Municipality to secure permission to use the venue and were able to negotiate a waiver of entry fees, ensuring that all children could enter without any financial burden. Soon after, local coaches convened to plan the event, deciding to highlight youth coaches from the area and simultaneously showcase local sports clubs and brands.

 “The shared goal was to weave fitness promotion, healthy living, sports participation, and community pride in Austerville into one cohesive programme,” said Axford.

He added that in order to keep children engaged in sports and away from trouble, they need accessible sports clubs and facilities to make that a reality. Axford noted that, unfortunately, funding in this area has been quite limited over the past two decades.

Growing sports at grassroots level

Looking ahead, Axford expressed hope that businesses might take a more active role in supporting youth development through sport. “If one company sponsors just one sport code, it could help sustain and expand development programmes,” said Axford.

The success of the day was illustrated in what can happen when a community comes together in unity.

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