OVER the past six months, the Go Durban Academy Wentworth Bike Park has become a beacon of hope to youngsters in the area who utilise the various different free activities at the park, situated in K1 Park.
At the park, facilitators coach about 200 children a week with programmes that they believe will make a positive impact on the lives of the children who attend.
Coaches, Mario Gunkel and Sydell Wilson, urge more residents to join the programmes offered at the park and are also appealing for more girls to join the programme.
Youngsters are offered a safe recreational area where they can ride bicycles and skateboards.
They do not need to have any equipment, as everything is provided, free of charge.
Gunkel said the park is aimed at promoting a united community, and encouraged the making of new friends, while keeping youngsters occupied and out of trouble.
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“There is also a classroom where academic lessons are conducted and children are helped with their homework. Academic up-skilling is important to promote among youngsters in conjunction with sport.
“We assist with homework and host extra classes to supplement school work. The park is a safe place for children to hang out and get to know each other, by interacting through learning and sport. They are allowed to use all the equipment and do not need any equipment of their own.
“We are therefore appealing to the community of Wentworth and surrounding areas to donate any BMX bikes that might be lying around unused at home.
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“We accept broken bikes as we use them as projects for the children to learn how to repair the bikes and build them into proper racing bikes which can be used during competitions,” Gunkel added.
Those who wish to donate a bike or to join the Go Durban Academy Wentworth Bike Park, contact Mario Gunkel or Sydell Wilson.
For more information, contact coaches Mario Gunkel on 073 525 9921 or Sydell Wilson on 083 883 4738. For queries, contact the coordinator, Jean Govender, on 076 505 1707.
Wentworth Bike Park weekly schedule:
Mondays – Boys from age 7 to 10
Tuesdays – Boys from age 11 to 12
Wednesdays – Boys from age 13 to 14
Thursdays – Girls all ages
Fridays – Selected academy riders
Saturdays – 08:00 to 09:00 – Boys from age 7 to 10
09:00 to 10:00 – Boys from age 11 to 12
10:00 to 11:00 – Boys from age 13 to 14 years
11:00 to 12:00 – Girls all ages
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