South Africa Tour 2016

Aim

A volunteering service which inspires communities and leaders through the power of sport.

Project aim

A volunteering service which inspires communities and leaders through the power of sport.

About the project

The aim of the project is to provide Football coaching sessions to deprived communities in Cape Town, South Africa. By using the power of sport we aim to educate each community about important issues surrounding health, teamwork, trust among many others. The project provides an opportunity for the young members of the townships to play football in a controlled environment. We are also raising money to buy and distribute footballs which will be given out in the most deprived areas of the Western Cape. While out in South Africa Coach Education sessions will be run by Joe Sargison (Professional F.A Pro Licenced Coach) where over 250 coaches will be given the opportunity to expand their knowledge and take what they have learn't and apply it in the townships once we have returned to England.

Formally the project was known as Balls to Poverty and was active for 11 years. During those years the project engaged 325 different students filling 437 student places in touring to South Africa. 155 staff places have been filled in those 11 years and over 1 million young South Africans have been directly or indirectly effected by the work of Balls to Poverty. The project has raised over £300,000 and distributed over 30,000 footballs and rugby balls to deprived townships in Cape Town. Unfortunately the project has been ceased but the show must go on and the founder Joe Sargison along with a handful of former staff and students are going to fly out to Cape Town on the 1st of April 2016 and continue the great work the project has done. We aim to coach and visit the deprived townships raising money to distribute footballs.

This project closed unsuccessfully on 26th October 2015