AS a means of ploughing back into their community, three local athletes have co-founded a company to help youth from disadvantaged communities train and participate in the world-renowned sporting triathlon, Ironman.
One of the founders, Justin Butler, said that after he was retrenched as co-ordinator and coach at a similar organisation, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he, along with two friends, Denver Petersen and Yaseen Abrahams, decided to start their own company, PVCE Multisport Academy NPC, in Nelson Mandela Bay.
This organisation aims at promoting multisport (running, cycling and swimming) among the youth of the metro.
“We are basically trying to make these sports more attainable to disadvantaged communities, but it is not just limited to the northern areas. Anyone who would like to join a squad is welcome,” he said.
Butler, who will be focusing mainly on the running aspect, added that the organisation was still fairly new, as it was only founded in June this year.
“The response has been great and there is a lot of interest. When it comes to multisport, there are so many squads out there that you can train with, but it is not cheap.
“Therefore, we are cutting the cost in half so that everyone has a fighting chance to join the elite squad,” he added.
“We want to provide opportunities to as many people as possible. They need to see that they can practise the sport professionally, excel at and even make a living out of it.”
For approximately R500 a month, athletes will have full access to professional, well-structured advice, consultations and workout goals and a fully structured, personalised training programme. There will also be group and one-on-one coaching sessions over weekends.
Petersen, who hails from Schauderville and has been practising multisport for five years, will be focusing on swimming.
“My role here is to realise that it is not just about me anymore, but the youth that we want to do something for. We would like to help and show them that Ironman is accessible for all, no matter what your background is,” he said.
According to Abrahams, who will be handling the cycling discipline and has almost 10 years’ experience in multisport, young athletes in the northern areas of the Bay have always been mostly exposed to rugby, cricket and soccer.
“They haven’t been exposed to other sport. Some people have the idea that you cannot run or cycle in Gelvandale or Schauderville. We want to break that stigma.”
He added that one of the young athletes who joined, mentioned that when he tried to jog in his neighbourhood, the residents laughed at him. “These are the perceptions that we want to change.
“Multisport can be practised in our communities. It is attainable for all.”
- Anyone who is interested in joining PVCE Multisport Academy NPC can visit their Facebook page or contact Butler on 074 269 5545, Abrahams on 071 473 8428 or Petersen on 076 937 7236 directly.
