A partnership between Paternoster Project’s Hoopsig and various role-players, proved successful when three learners from Paternoster recently excelled at the Alpha-Grappling League Jiu Jitsu competition in Cape Town on Saturday 10 June.
The partnership introduced Paternoster children to a new sporting activity, while also demonstrating that working together and the pooling of resources and funds creates a recipe for success. Plans to replicate the model for Saldanha is currently being discussed.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) initially started as short-term workshops by a previous volunteer, Julian Zisler, and has now grown into a fully-fledged partnership between Hoopsig, Paternoster Groepbelange and the Rio Grappling Club in Langebaan. A coach from the Rio club conducts coaching on a weekly basis for between 10 and 15 children at the Paternoster Club.
Zisler, who introduced BBJ to Hoopsig, said he could not be any prouder of it, “but even more so of the children. We can only provide opportunities for them, but the way they took BJJ in and stuck to it with determination and commitment is more than I could have ever wished for.” He said his dream was to grow the club, get sponsors and get more learners to commit and challenge themselves within the sport.
Paternoster Groepbelange (PGB) became involved as a sponsor at the beginning of 2022. According to Wimpie Rossouw, from PGB, assistant coach and a parent of one of the medallists, there are very few activities to keep the children in Paternoster occupied.
“We knew that BJJ could be something they can try and now they all look forward to each week’s training. It includes physical exercises which are unbelievably valuable, but it also instills camaraderie and pride in being part of a team. The child also develops a keen sense of self-confidence and respect toward others.”
He also stressed that children are likely to spend too much time engaging with technology rather than to engage in outdoor activities. Supporting his son to participate in BJJ motivates him to ride his bicycle or jump trampoline as this enhances his fitness. This assists him in his preparation to take part in future competitions. It also gives him time to spend with his friends. The children train in the rules of engagement. BJJ, affectionately known as Jits, applies only to self-protection, and could aid a child in a bully situation and be less vulnerable.
According to Rudi Viljoen, assistant coach Rio Grappling Paternoster Club, BJJ offers so many positives to a child: physical fitness, self-defence skills, discipline and self-control, problem solving and critical thinking, emotional and mental well-being, social skills and teamwork and goal setting and achievement.
“We want to give the children hope, guidance and opportunities to impact positively in a community and surrounding areas. An important part of martial arts is to instil respect, discipline, caring for your fellow man and determination. The Weskus (Paternoster) has produced so many talented sportsmen and -women and if we have an opportunity to develop just one sportsperson with a similar passion, we will consider that a success.”
Currently, children in Paternoster only have coaching once a week while clubs normally have at least four sessions a week.
“We see so much potential in Paternoster and it is also a way to escape social ills which hamper a child’s development and happiness,” Viljoen concluded. “The entire Brazilian Jiu Jitsu family want to see the younger generation develop, grow, and become role models for others. We are all behind the Paternoster children.”
