Clubs giving youth a sporting chance
NEMATO Change a Life (NCAL) sports clubs offer four small Olympic sports: rowing, gymnastics (tumbling and trampoline), handball and fencing.
Sport is an important part of the NCAL youth empowerment programme and its athletes compete at provincial, national and even international level.
Rowing Club
St Andrew’s College, the strongest rowing school in the country, is assisting the rowing club to become more competitive, and the team is getting fit. At their 60 minute trial on the ergos (rowing machines) they did very well, with a club best for Odwa Ntamo in Under 16, and a club second best in U19 for Simthembile Bari.
Handball Club
Lihle Nxobo was selected in the South African team for the U17 Beach Handball World Championships in Mauritius. It was the first time a Nemato handball player competed overseas.
“The event has inspired not only Lihle, but our entire team to take success in handball and life to the next level,” NCAL founder Jan Blom said.
Gymnastics Club
After winning all events the club participated in during the two provincial trials, 10 NCAL gymnasts were selected for the national championships and four for the world championships.
The team practised for the nationals at a training camp in Port Elizabeth, donated by the Eastern Cape Academy of Sport.
At the camp, the gymnasts were tested for drugs by the Eastern Cape Academy of Sport. “All tested negative for the whole range, from dagga to Tik. In our community that is a great achievement!” Blom said.
Fencing Club
NCAL only had one fencer who qualified for a national competition in Cape Town. He travelled alone and was looked after by fencers in Cape Town.
“It was a great adventure that made him many new friends,” Blom said.
NCAL invited the three other youth organisations in the township, Ingubo, Phumelelo and Ezibeleni on a trip to Port Elizabeth.
In the morning, the club attended a fundraising course by the Southern African Fundraising Leadership Academy and a presentation by FunDza about their reading programme for high school youth.