Katlehong school receives sponsorship for its basketball team

The Lethukuthula Secondary School basketball team recently received sponsorship to participate in the upcoming St Stithians College Basketball U-16 Tournament.

Lethukuthula Secondary is an underprivileged school in Katlehong. The team was invited by talent scouts to take part in the basketball tournament against well-known schools, such as King Edward VII School, Kingswood College and Clifton School.

The Cross Trainer (TCT) sponsored the basketball team as part of supporting grassroots local sports.

According to the chief marketing officer at TCT, Nick Rheeder, the team did not have enough funds for kits and travelling for its official debut at the tournament and reached out to TCT for help.

“The Lethukuthula Secondary team showed such commitment, ambition and talent, and we at TCT were pleased to step in and help them in whichever way we could,” said Rheeder.

TCT’s private label brand XT supplied the school with full basketball kits for 13 players valued at R3 800 per player. These kits included tracksuits, vests, shorts, socks and shoes sponsored by Adidas.

TCT also sponsored the team, its coach and assistant with meals and accommodation at the Holiday Inn in Woodmead, Sandton.

This ensured the learners received a good night’s rest and nutritious meals to keep them fit for all the fast breaks, double-dribbles and field goals.

“At TCT, we are proud to serve and support local communities. As a sports fashion retailer, we are passionate about helping children and teens to rise above impoverished and underprivileged circumstances to become the great sportspeople of tomorrow,” Rheeder added.

TCT CEO Mark Frame mentioned the company is committed to walking a long road with Lethukuthula’s Development Team as part of its CSI strategy, which aims to make sports more inclusive.

The company’s next step will, therefore, be investing towards developing the school’s sporting facilities so that learners can access a suitable space where they can practise properly, as well as a joint venture between TCT and St Stithians College for all future tournaments that will be held.

“When these teens know that there are good people out there who believe in them and are willing to support their potential, you know they’ll grab the opportunity with both hands. We can all do our part to build our communities and our country by taking one step at a time and paying it forward,” Frame concluded.