Sport Development
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Sport Is The Global Currency To Invest In Children
Community based organized sports programs present a strategic asset that can be deployed to address & mitigate poverty. The positive values associated with sport must be utilized to instill lifetime values among children necessary to overcome social challenges and break the poverty cycle.
Teach Sound Fundamentals
In an environment where training resources are limited, we take pride in teaching children & coaches sound fundamental of sport. Skill development is the first step towards game development that translates into a lasting passion for sport. In 2013 we rolled out the historic Jack Ramsay Volunteer Coaches Training & Certification Program a first in the history of the continent of Africa. With this program, coaches in rural schools now have access to rare basketball training materials courtsey of the late NBA Hall of Famer Dr Jack, who provided the resources.
Train Volunteer Officials
Training of game fundamentals must be complemented by a comprehensive officiating training program. Our goal is for every school in Makoni District to have a trained coach and official to ensure game development & program longevity. Volunteers that get trained & certified receive officiating tools including: striped shirt, black pants, pair of sneakers, a whistle, & training materials.
Sports Gear Assist
Sports is less fun when you play barefoot or without proper gear. The psychological effect of putting on a uniform and competing in sports helps develop self- esteem among children. Thanks to Connecticut Attack Basketball Program, Indy Eleven, Indiana Soccer & families that have helped collect gently used basketball & soccer gear helping kids in underserved communities across Zimbabwe play with confidence & enjoy the game. All collected sports gear from the USA is cleaned & processed for shipment. Upon making a shipment, we travel to Zimbabwe to receive the gear and distribute it across rural schools.
the positive values of sport
Habit Success Patterns
Just like sport, life is a game of habits in which children learn to modify behavior in a socially acceptable manner. Our sport program is providing opportunities to underserved children to develop impactful positive relationships (that typically do not exist at home). These include team work, volunteer work involvement in volunteer work, the discipline of training & peseverence, adopting a teamwork approach, following the leadership of coaches and captains, learning to deal with loss.
Girls Participation & Recognition
In an environment that typically denies girls equal opportunities, we are beginning to see a dramatic acceleration of inclusion of girls. Young girls are increasingly developing confidence and self-esteem through participation in sport and physical activity. A deliberate 50% girls inclusion & participation strategy program is helping instill lifetime skills such as persistence, teamwork, goal setting, leadership, and character development may transfer from sport to academics, family life, and the work setting.
Youth Development
The majority of children from our program are beginning to exhibit the five c's associated with sport: competence, confidence, connections, character, and caring thanks to our dedicated staff on the ground that continue to volunteer their efforts. Running the program consistently will help shape program will —which are considered critical components of positive youth development. Considering the fact that a significant portion of program participants have lost their parents to HIV/AIDs, the sports program is filling a huge void that would otherwise remain unfilled.
Social Skill Development
Organized sports efforts are benefitting children through the promotion of teamwork, building initiative, & developing a sense of belonging to their community. The program's goal is for children to extrapolate lifetime skills such as persistence, teamwork, goal setting, leadership, and character development which potentially translate into academics excellence. Sowing the seeds of volunteerism & community service among the youth is a work seeds of philanthropy among youth. Working with teachers gives kids a sense of like minded mentors whom they can be vulnerable with.
Higher Self-Esteem
The take away from youth sporting programs is the aspect of high self esteem. Since the program's inception, coaches have started seeing an increase in children's self confidence that is positively impacting students’ academic performance. The subsequent effect is the learning of important life skills such as setting higher goals, resource & time management, holding oneself to high standards. We have also established a pattern of support and positive re-enforcement from adults that translates from sport to academic.
Improved Academic Achievement
The average rural educational system does not afford teachers adequate motivational tools to inspire children to earn good grades. The introduction of a comprehensive sports program tied into academic performance is availing teachers more and more teachers are finding sports program as a positive tool to inspire children to perform better in school. Acording to Nash Majoni, (teacher, coach & project coordinator) they have adopted the, "Get The Grade & Get To Play" initiative.