Connecting with NPOs and foundations

We are very glad that, thanks to the progress and exposure we were able to get, we are getting more and more connected with organizations sharing our visions and seeing the potential in joining forces. Of course this would have never been possible without the enormous help, dedication and network of many new friends here in South Africa. A proper "Street Racket movement" is about to start so that the many positive effects of our concept (promotion of healthy activity and motorskill training for all, bringing all people together in play and creating sports ground out of nothing everywhere) can be multiplied.

This week we introduced two more "players" to Street Racket during an active demo session in Gugulethu, a suburb of Cape Town.

Firstly, a team of the Laureus sport for good Foundation South Africa (http://www.laureus.co.za/) attended the workshop lead by Street Racket founder and inventor Marcel Straub. The Laureus mission is to use the power of sport as a tool for social change. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation’s goal is to help young people overcome the limitations imposed by challenging social issues including poverty, homelessness, war, violence, drug abuse, discrimination and AIDS. To do this Laureus supports and assists a worldwide programme of sports related community projects that have been working to educate children, protect the vulnerable from illness and even bring people from divided communities together in friendship for over ten years.

This mission was inspired by the words of Laureus Patron Nelson Mandela. At the very first Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco 2000, he said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” Shortly after the introduction of Street Racket we received news from the Laureus board stating that they see great potential in including Street Racket in their line of work, within their many programs and collaborations and to help fulfill their mission. We are very happy and hopeful that this will lead to a lot of “sport for good”!

Secondly, we were able to reach out to the staff of http://ikamvayouth.org/. Ikamva is an organization focussed on the empowerment of youth through education. Ikamva equips learners from disadvantaged communities with the knowledge, skills, networks and resources to access tertiary education and/or employment opportunities once they matriculate. Ikamva aims to increase the collective skill level of the population, to grow the national knowledge base, and to replicate success in more communities. A non-profit organisation with branches in five provinces in South Africa, Ikamva currently operates in the Western Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, North West and the Eastern Cape. Ikamva wants to use the Street Racket concept for their work in centers all across the country and to empower the kids and young adults by improving their skills. We can’t wait to see Street Racket being put into action on these platforms and will give guidance and support in the process.

Laureus and Ikamva staff during the workshop - thanks to the flexible

and simple setting a school library can also become a sports hall!