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Published by cameron.belling, 2019-12-18 00:35:28

Laureus Dec Newsletter

Laureus Newsletter - Q4

NEWSLETTER

DEC’19

TEAM TALK >> YES: HARNESSING THE YOUTH TODAY, FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

As we count down to the end of 2019,

I’d like to reflect on one of the big highlights of
the last quarter… The YES graduation (read more
about them in the “Spotlight On” section), which was linked to the
inaugural Youth Summit.
Many of our Programmes sent their leaders to attend this Summit, which was
organised and managed by some of the YES leaders themselves. It was a
fantastic event, and our attendees had a wonderful time.
The Summit also featured some talented and incredible speakers, including Selwyn Govender from
Mercedes-Benz SA, whose inspiring speech about achieving your goals and igniting your purpose set the
tone for the rest of the event, while Juandre Davids of Healthnutz skillfully MCed the overall proceedings.
The YES graduation followed the Summit. It was a wonderful experience, and one could feel the excitement among
the graduates as they received their certificates.
This is our final newsletter for 2020. And I’d like to take this opportunity to wish our trustees a restful holiday period and thank them for their ongoing e orts and
support.
We also wish our stakeholders, partners and sponsors - including Mercedes -Benz SA, IWC, MUFG, the Ignition Group, Cape Wheel and Tsogo Sun - well over the
Festive Season, both in their business and personal capacities.
And finally, a massive thank you to our management team and sta . We appreciate your hard work and e orts. Let’s use the strong foundation we built in 2019 to
start 2020 with a bang.
Here’s wishing you and yours a safe and peaceful Festive Season.

THIS NEWSLETTER IS POWERED BY

NEWSLETTER

DEC’19

SPOTLIGHT ON >> LAUREUS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SPORT (YES)

Youth Empowerment Through Sport (YES) is a dynamic

programme which actively invests in the youth by giving them the
tools to go into their communities and become change makers and
ambassadors of sport.
Run by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the programme was
launched in 2012, and focuses on equipping the youth with the technical,
vocational, entrepreneurship and life skills needed to develop sustainable
livelihoods.
Young adults aged 18 - 25 are targeted, while particular attention is given to individuals who are
passionate about using sport to uplift their communities. This annual project gives 20 young adults from
sport and development projects across SA the opportunity to learn, develop and thrive over the course of 9
months. Starting with a personal and social development week, programme delegates form strong bonds and
learn from past mentors about the important role that sport plays in community development, and how they can
make a di erence.
YES boasts tangible results: Through the YES programme’s e orts, participants report an increase in self-confidence and job readiness, while YES leaders
feel more empowered to complete tasks, improve their programme delivery and take on more responsibilities. Previous leaders have also reported being
promoted at their respective programmes.
In addition, YES is based on the belief that young people are the greatest force to bring about social change in other young people, and that the youth are
potential champions for positive social change.
Ultimately, these young adults are able to inspire and motivate their peers, and become positive role models.

THIS NEWSLETTER IS POWERED BY

NEWSLETTER

DEC’19

CALENDER EVENTS APRIL - JUNE 2019

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER >> JILL BENTING

JILL BENTING, YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SPORT (YES)
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR, TALKS ABOUT HER LAUREUS
JOURNEY...

You’ve been a part of the Laureus family for 5 years now. What was the
original motivation behind your involvement with the Laureus
Foundation?

Since I can remember I have always had a passion for sport and working with young
people, and imagined myself in an environment where I am able to help others.
Having played various sporting codes at school, I had first-hand experience of the
impact of playing sport, and how it can be used as a healthy outlet for feelings
and/or experiences we cannot always verbalise. I was fortunate to gain access to
Laureus Sport For Good Foundation through the Laureus Youth Empowerment
through Sport (YES) Programme, where I grew even more.

How has Laureus shaped you, personally and professionally?

Laureus has given me a powerful platform for personal growth, and helped me develop a
greater sense of who I am, what I want out of life, what I want to stand for and - most
important - the legacy I want to leave behind. Through Laureus I’ve learned that my past does
not define me. Instead, it can be used as fuel for growth, and that speaking about my past
experiences and traumas could inspire someone who is facing similar challenges. It has also
taught me the importance of a good support system and fostering a growth culture.
Professionally, I am fortunate to be surrounded by mentors within the Laureus network who constantly challenge me to be the best I can be.
Their guidance - coupled with an environment where I can learn from my mistakes - is crucial to my growth.

Tell us about the Laureus Youth Empowerment through Sport programme (YES).

The YES Programme actively invests in the youth by empowering them to use the power of sport to be change-makers to the youth in their communities.
These young leaders are also equipped with the necessary tools - ranging from soft skills and accredited qualifications - to create a sustainable future for
themselves and their families. It’s wonderful to see the change in these leaders over the course of the year, from first contact to graduation. Over time, their
outlook on the barriers that used to hold them back changes to the point where their reignited passion to change the world causes a positive ripple e ect
within their broader community.

What would you consider a highlight on your Laureus journey?

I had the opportunity to do a project exchange to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2018. Laureus South Africa gave nine beneficiaries, three coaches and three Fight
With Insight (FWI) sta members and opportunity to experience another Laureus-funded programme, Luta Pela Paz. Just like FWI, Luta Pela Paz uses
martial arts and boxing as a tool for upliftment. This experience was once again a powerful reminder of how the transformative power of sport transcends
culture.

THIS NEWSLETTER IS POWERED BY

NEWSLETTER

DEC’19

PHOTO FINISH

INAUGURAL LAUREUS YOUTH SUMMIT A SUCCESS

Laureus hosted the first Youth Summit at MBSA in Pretoria. The Summit was attended by 70 delegates, including stakeholders and youth from within
and outside the sport for development sector.
Delegates explored touch points around the theme, “Reigniting Your Purpose”, with conversations including youth unemployment from a South African
and global perspective, and how initiatives like the Laureus YES Programme address these challenges.

YES PROGRAMME GRADUATION

Some 20 YES Protégés and four YES Change Agents successfully completed the
YES Programme, and attended a programme graduation. In addition to being
addressed by Morné du Plessis, Selvin Govender, and keynote speaker Sanele French
Mthembu, the graduation was also attended by YES Programme alumni, who shared
how the programme helped them change their views on life.

GARRETT MCNAMARA VISITS WAVES FOR CHANGE

Hawaiian big wave surfer and Laureus Sport For Good ambassador, Garret McNamara,
took to the water at Orient Beach, East London, where he caught some waves with 70
boys and girls that form part of the Waves For Change surf therapy project.

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