A new R3 million sports court is set to give children in Ward 56, which includes Kensington, Factreton and Maitland, more than just a place to play but opening the door to new opportunities, skills and sporting dreams.

The combination court, unveiled on Thursday, 13 August, serves communities in Maitland, Kensington and Factreton and can accommodate netball, basketball, volleyball and futsal on a single adaptable playing surface.

The project is fully funded by the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Proceedings began with a prayer, followed by the national anthem.

Community Support

Ward 56 councillor Cheslyn Daniels expressed his gratitude to the national department and other stakeholders involved in bringing the project to fruition.

“Thank you for your vision is to make this possible. This court would not have been possible without minister Gayton Mckenzie. This facility will give young people a safe place to play.”

Daniels said the facility was a symbol of hope for the community and urged residents to take pride in it and protect it from vandalism.

Anita Mathews, executive director of the Sports Trust, said the public benefit organisation has worked with the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for more than 30 years.

The Sports Trust aims to give disadvantaged communities, particularly schools, greater access to sport by providing equipment, kits and facilities.

Mathews said facilities such as the new court give young people opportunities to rise above their circumstances.

Future Success

Donovan Cleophas, chief education specialist and circuit manager in the Metro Central Education District at the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), said the handover marked the culmination of months and years of planning.

“My office will keep tabs on the maximum use and maintenance of the facility. To ensure it remains a beacon of hope in this community. Thank you for laying the foundations for success. The onus rests on teachers to ensure this facility remain a facility of unity, opportunity and of hope.”

Carolyn Inglis, fundraising and operations manager at Play Sport4Life (PS4L), a Maitland-based non-profit organisation that uses sport to empower disadvantaged communities, said sport is about far more than simply playing a game.

“It helps young people discover that they are capable of achieving. One court cannot meet the need of an entire community. Every school in ward 56 needs access to these facilities. Please let this court be the beginning of bigger things and not the end.”

Inglis also called on government to support organisations such as PS4L.

Making his keynote address, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton Mackenzie said: “This is the first community who helped put me in political power. We made promises that we will build facilities for the youth…I feel like this is a small debt to pay for the parents and children who helped put me in power… this is just the beginning. This community will become a model community.”

School Support

Six primary schools also received sports kits and equipment as part of the handover.

Alvinia Steenberg, acting principal of Factreton Primary School, said the school was humbled by the “generous donation”.

She also thanked former principal Paul-John McAvoy, who she said played an instrumental role in bringing the project to fruition.

“This is the start of opportunities for our learners. To the community of Ward 56, we express our gratitude to all the stakeholders who made this possible. Thank you for making this a reality.”

Encouraging learners to reach for their dreams, she said: “It does not matter where you come from, but where you are going. And you are going to the top.

“This combi court belongs to all neighbouring schools. It will be a place where you will learn to compete with integrity. Let this space inspire you to give your best both on and off the court.”

Learner Excitement

The learners are ecstatic about their new sporting facility.

Neelam Grace Benjamin said she can now play sport in a safe environment.

Zia Abrahams said she is grateful to the department.

“Having this combi court will bring out so much talent in the learners. We are grateful to the minister for showing up.”

For Mickyla Charles, the combi court is a welcome addition, as they previously had to play sport on tarmac.

Grade 7 learner Rania Stemmet said she is excited to see the facility come to life during her last year of primary school.

Learners Cassidy Schouw and Evan Noah Solomons said they cannot wait to play various sporting codes on the new pitch.

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