Volkswagen has invested more than R450 000 in a new soccer league and lifestyle initiative, Train 4 Life which consists of an Alex High School girls football tournament.
The tournament also encompasses a life skills programme and is aimed at empowering Grade 8 girl learners aged 14 and 15 years from six high schools in Alex.
According to Siyanda Madikizela, public relations manager at Volkswagen South Africa, the six-week soccer tournament and life skills programme, whose date of activation is yet to be confirmed, will see 84 learners and 1 800 learners taking part in the two events respectively.
Madikizela said the costs would include the supply of soccer kits for the different schools, the provision of lunch and refreshments during the games, payments for the venue of the entire tournament, and referee’s fees.
Part of the costs will also go towards medics for the tournament and finals, medals and trophies and the organisation of speakers for the life skills programme for girls in the six different Alex high schools, Madikizela said.
According to Madikizela, Train 4 Life is expected to run for five months with the first two months focussing mainly on the soccer tournament and the remainder of the months dedicated to the life skills school programme.
“We’re also selecting girls to join a team that Simphiwe Dludlu will be coaching for the inaugural VW Vaya Cup. However, with the increase of Covid-19 cases in the country, the league has been placed on ice by an instruction from the Department of Basic Education until further notice. When the time is right to resume the league, we will communicate accordingly.”
Madikizela said the Alex programme would serve as a pilot project. “We hope to roll it out to other local communities based on the success and outcomes of this particular one which will decide the longevity of the programme after seeing what works and what doesn’t. “The most important element of this project is what it can offer to the young girls”.
She said the project mainly aimed at empowering the girls in Alex to dream big. “There is honestly nothing as satisfying as seeing the young girls’ faces on these fields and in their training sessions. We want to empower a generation that will one day lead us.”
