Discovery donates 15 000 balls to support grassroot sporting programs
The official handover of 10 000 netballs and 5 000 rugby balls marks a major boost for under resourced schools in some of SA’s poorest communities.
The official handover of 10 000 netballs and 5 000 rugby balls marks a major boost for under resourced schools in some of SA’s poorest communities.
The milestone programme was unveiled at Thembalethu Primary School in Meadowlands which is one of more than 1 000 schools, set to benefit from the donation geared towards sports development.
A total of 2500 netballs were raised through Discovery’s Vitality campaign, while a further 5 000 rugby balls and 5 000 netballs through its Discovery Bank Tap to Give campaign.
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Discovery Sponsorships Senior Marketing Manager, Deon Curtis said the initiative sought to create a legacy of developing future sporting talent.
“We wanted to leave a lasting legacy. We are a purpose driven brand, and our purpose is to build a healthier society.
“We wanted to get more kids active and involved in sports by making access to sporting equipment accessible and one of the ways we saw we could reach that goal is by making more balls available,” said Curtis.
The Discovery initiative will support the work carried out by six sports development organisations including Netball South Africa, Tag Rugby Association, VUKA Rugby, South African Deaf Rugby Association and Dreamfields Projects.
Stuart McConnell, Director at Tag Rugby Association lauded the donation as a remarkable contribution for local sports development.
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“What Discovery has done with this initiative, they are not just providing balls, they are providing a dream, an opportunity.
“This could easily be a decision do I get involved in crime and gangsterism or do I get involved in healthy lifestyle by getting involved in sports and physical activity.
“Sports makes a difference, it motivates children to come to school and gives people with no resources a chance to excel and we are thrilled to be able to continue doing it.”
Curtis added, “These various non-profit organisations are entrenched within grassroots rugby and netball, and we know those balls are going to have an immense effect on those sporting communities.”
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