Bantwana College empowers young girls through chess.
Bantwana College launches chess club to empower young girls, fostering academic excellence, strategic thinking, and personal growth.
The Bantwana College, a non-profit organisation, recently launched its chess club at the Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre. The club aims to provide young girls with an opportunity to learn and play chess, in addition to their soccer programme. The founder, Theo Buttress, believes that chess can help the girls develop important skills such as focus, strategic thinking, and problem solving. “The ultimate goal is to empower the girls and provide them with additional opportunities for personal growth.”
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Chess has been recognised as a valuable tool for enhancing academic performance and critical thinking skills. By including chess in their programme, Bantwana College aims to help the girls improve their academic performance, particularly in subjects like mathematics. Chess teaches important skills such as logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and decision making, which can be applied to various aspects of life, including schoolwork.
Theo Buttress, the founder of Bantwana College, believes that chess can serve as a vehicle for personal development. “By participating in chess, the girls can learn important life skills, such as perseverance, resilience, and the ability to think strategically.”
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Buttress hopes that through the chess club, the girls will not only improve academically but also gain valuable skills that will benefit them in their future endeavours, including entrepreneurship and work-readiness programmes.
The launch of the Bantwana College chess club is part of a larger effort to empower the Bantwana College girls soccer team, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Chess provides an opportunity for girls to challenge societal stereotypes and demonstrate their intelligence and capabilities. By participating in chess, the girls can overcome obstacles that may hinder their access to opportunities. Through the chess club, Bantwana College aims to create a supportive environment where girls can thrive and become role models for others.
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