Sports Saturday

Last saturday the 17th March, approximately 180 children from 6 of the local townships (Iraq, Waterworks, Hilside, Siteview, Rooidakka and Remhoogte) gathered at the country club in Grabouw for sports saturday. 

There were 6 teams playing football in under 13’s, 4 teams for over 13’s and 4 netball teams, one of which was a combined Rooidakka/ Remhoogte team. 

Each of the 13 teams did amazingly, as they put into practice the football and netball skills they had been taught over the past 20 or so weeks.  It was a close tournament, with only a few points separating out the teams. 

We where lucky to have the help of the Germans, who took time out of their busy day building a house to come and be team leaders. Along with a handful of Dutch P.E students, who also took on a team leader roles. Whilst a few of the older boys from the Townships along with Grace, Lance, Travis and Tim refereed the games. As Heather ran the scores to me for recording and I watched he games follow on nicely. 

After a hectic wednesday, thursday and part of friday of planning the day and making the match draw, ensuring that each team played each other. I was grateful that the day ran smoothly, and now have a new found respect for my Athletic and Cross Country coach and  sports coaches in general, as it is hard work doing a sports draw, whatever sport it is for. 

Once all the games had been played, we had prize giving. Each team was awarded with astroids: really yummy chocolates that i cant believe they haven't made it to the UK or NZ yet. The winning teams where awarded with sports strips. The final prizes where for the players of the day. It was a hard decision, as all the children had played well and shown good sports man ship. However in the end the three children, one form each groups was choses for the consideration to other players, treating others as they wish to be treated themselves.

We use the opportunity we have at sports each week, to teach the children life skills. It is hard sometimes to know if they understand what we are trying to say in the variety of different English accents we all have. However this past week we used the concept of defending and attacking to portray the lifeskill of protecting yourself from harm and danger. Explaining it in this way appeared to benefit each of the children and helped them to work together on the field, as a team. The importance of team work came through strongly when counting up the points, the combined Rooidakka/ Remhoogte netball team took out first place.