Discovery kicks it forward in a soccer challenge for people with mental illnesses
PARKMORE – Mental illness gets kicked forward at the annual soccer tournament.
Breaking down barriers and encouraging positive play was the order of the day when people suffering from mental illnesses played soccer at the annual Discovery Kicking it Forward challenge.
Discovery Soccer Park, Parkmore, hosted a whopping 180 players from 15 teams from organisations around Joburg on a sunny 20 September.
They were joined by Bafana Bafana and Supersport United midfielder, Dean Furman, who, along with Discovery and the Department of Social Development, made sure every person felt like a star.
Matches were played all morning and everyone was a winner as participation medals, cool sunglasses and meals were given to the players afterwards.
“There is no doubt that soccer has a magical way of uniting people but this initiative goes beyond the action that happens on the field,” said Dr Craig Nossel, head of Vitality Wellness.
“The Discovery Kicking it Forward Challenge is a soccer tournament that gives both the players and the facilitators the opportunity to break down barriers, promote active play, teamwork and offers the ability to give back to the community.”
The organisers explained that social inclusion plays a key role in the health and well-being of those suffering from mental illnesses.
The Social Development Department’s programme manager for persons with disability, Mariska van der Walt said, “Nelson Mandela said, ‘sport can create hope, where once there was only despair’ and today this was again proven.”
She said people who don’t usually have a voice in society were given the opportunity to be stars of the day.
Arguably, Bafana Bafana’s most in-form player, Furman, said it was a privilege to hand out medals and see the joy soccer brought to the players.
Were you at the Discovery Kicking it Forward Challenge? Let us know what you thought about the event by commenting on our Facebook page or emailing our sports editor, nicholasz@caxton.co.za
Also check out:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/203387/discover-5-a-side-soccer-2/
