Based at Crystal Park Primary School, the club and the parents who make up the interim committee have partnered with local churches, teachers and the Crystal Park Youth Crime Prevention Desk to get young people active.
They have brought together existing sporting code structures in the area into one overall programme which aims to address the inactivity of young people and offer social skills development programmes.
“We are simply a group of parents who all have a vision to see our children growing up with a sense of responsibility, respect, integrity, teamwork and leadership and solid life skills,” said Abel Makwakwa, chairman of the committee.
“We believe that a lack of a sports club and sporting activities in the area has seen many children’s lifestyles being affected by social evils.
“Through this we are hoping to expose children not only to sport, but also to career and social development activities that will help shape young minds.”
Makwakwa told the City Times that the parents approached the school’s governing body (SGB) with the idea of forming and basing a community club and development programme at their premises on August 29, last year.
“From the school we discovered that there are actually quite a few groups already doing different things in Crystal Park, such as on-and-off weekly chess sessions at the Crystal Park Baptist Church,” he said.
“Through a few meetings with the SGB we then decided to branch out and made contact with other schools in the area, such as Ashbury Private School, to invite them to our launch meeting, where parents could meet and get the wheels in motion to form a community club.”
Over 50 parents gathered in the school hall on Saturday, April 16, to form an interim committee that would voluntarily steer the programme and facilitate the bringing together of all the codes.
“Our group is built on the spirit of volunteerism and paying it forward by offering our own time and skills,” added the chairman.
“People often complain, complain, complain and blame the government for this and that, but collectively we need to take charge and do something to help our youth get ahead.”
The sporting codes that the club offers are soccer, chess, netball, gymnastics, running, cricket and rugby, while attention will also be paid to life skills development and career guidance.
The club is not just for children, and the involvement and participation of parents in the various codes is highly encouraged.
“More than anything we really need support from the community,” added Makwakwa.
“We would like parents to take the initiative and support their children.
“Bring your children, expose them to a different setting and connect outside the family nucleus.”
There is also a plea for donations of any equipment that will help with the growth of the club’s sporting codes, as well a call for anyone with skills in a particular sport to get on board.
“There are people in Crystal Park and Benoni with skills that we don’t have,” Makwakwa added.
For more information and to get involved with the club contact Makwakwa on 083 950 8395 or email to abelm@live.co.za.
Alternatively, contact club secretary Tebogo Thipe on 084 726 6995.
Different sporting codes will take place on varying days (take note):
• Running: A 3km run takes place from Crystal Park Spar on Tuesdays, at 5.15pm.
• Gymnastics: School gymnastics takes place on Wednesdays, at 3.30pm, in the Crystal Park Primary School hall, while Gymnaestrada (a form of dance aerobics, open to parents and children) takes place from 5.30pm on the same day.
• Chess: Sessions held on Fridays at 4pm at the Crystal Park Baptist Church; on Wednesdays at the school from 5pm, and Saturdays at noon, at the school.
• Netball: For ages eight to nine years old at 4.30pm on Thursdays, at the school, and for 10- to 12-year-olds on Fridays, at 4.30pm.
• Cricket: To be held on Saturdays at 11am at the school.
• Rugby: To be held on Saturdays at 11am at the school.
• Soccer: Practice for ages nine to 17 years old on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4pm to 6pm.
