A one-day seminar titled “Beyond participation: Shaping the experiences of youth in the afterschool programme space” was recently held at the Smart Living Education Centre in Green Point.

The City’s Recreation and Parks Department, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and Waves for Change, a non-profit providing surf therapy to children from under-resourched communities, hosted the event.

Government officials, researchers and NGO practitioners in sport, recreation and youth shared what makes the hours after school supportive and meaningful for young people.

Beyond participation

The Learning Trust highlighted that while participation in afterschool programmes opens the door, the sector’s responsibility begins with what young people experience once they enter the programme.

“A practitioner’s duty is not only to offer the programme, but to ensure that youth feel welcome, have a voice, discover their interests, build relationships and experience a sense of belonging,” said Charlene Petersen-Vos of The Learning Trust.

A Planet Youth survey of over 47 000 Grade 8 and 9 learners across the Western Cape indicated that participation in sport alone does not eliminate the risk of substance use.

Research evidence calls for quality programmes that provide appropriate supervision, positive adult relationships and a sense of belonging.

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Lessons from young coaches

Wayde Groep from DCAS’s Year Beyond programme shared five lessons learnt about the young coach who works beside the learner:

• Responsibility grows people
• Young practitioners reach children differently
• Young coaches need to feel safe and seen too
• Growth has to be intentional and supported
• -he year has to lead somewhere

Take 5 approach

The Take 5 approach to improve coach competency is showing success for DCAS and Waves for Change (W4C). W4C developed Take 5 to strengthen the skills of existing sport coaches and create safe spaces where children experience caring relationships and respite from stress, and learn skills to manage adversity.

Young people’s voices further emphasised the importance of safety, belonging, purpose, positive relationships and opportunities to develop skills. These insights point to the need for afterschool programmes that go beyond keeping young people occupied and create meaningful developmental experiences.

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New research on the horizon

Two upcoming research projects were presented. The ALIVE Randomised Controlled Trial with the University of Cape Town will test the efficacy of Take 5 when integrated into DCAS school sport programmes.

Over three years, from 2027 to 2029, ALIVE will investigate the long-term health and behaviour outcomes of adolescents in participating schools and test whether including Take 5 reduces the incidence of mental illness.

The City of Cape Town will embark on the Cape Town Recreation Study over 2026 and 2027 to understand participation in sport and recreation and the factors that drive it.

Looking ahead

The day concluded with a panel discussion on key tasks moving forward, focusing on closer collaboration and partnership across the sector.

“Afterschool programmes should be about more than giving young people something to do. We want learners to feel safe, supported and included, with opportunities to build confidence and positive relationships. This is why working with our partners matters. By understanding what young people need, we can help make these programmes more meaningful for them,” said the City’s Mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham.

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