It is with great joy and anticipation that the Athletics Foundation Trust announces the launch of its Stellenbosch Athletics Bursary Programme in partnership with Endurocad and Stellenbosch High School.
Nine years ago the Athletics Foundation Trust (AFT) created a unique development programme to make a real difference in South Africa through Education and Athletics. The Trust’s generous sponsorship of bursaries into the TuksSport High School have undoubtedly impacted on the South African and World Athletics scene from 2014 to 2021 with phenomenal success at the recent World under 20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya. Over the years they have sponsored more than 200 bursaries and are expanding their footprint to the Western Cape.
What: The Stellenbosch Athletics Bursary Programmewill be an expansion of the national athletics bursary programme. The programme will kick off in 2022 with the immediate goal to identify 15 talented athletes (grades 8-10 in 2022) from underdeveloped areas where there are few resources or opportunities to develop their athletic and academic abilities. These young athletes will achieve an all-round education by attending Stellenbosch High School and be trained by the world class coaches in Stellenbosch.
“No sports career lasts forever. We want young athletes to realize that not everyone is going to become a professional athlete, so education is viewed as equally important,”
Rose Juby (AFT National Programme Manager).
Who: The Athletics Foundation Trust has appointed Endurocad to manage the programme, in partnership with Stellenbosch High School, Athletes Academy (Club) and Stellenbosch Academy of Sport.
Endurocad, a non-profit, is managed by Olympic silver medallist Elana van Zyl-Meyer and Janet Welham, who over the last 8 years have developed young athletes with focus on their overall development including career, personal and athletics development.
“We are delighted to use the skills we developed with Endurocad to support the AFT to achieve their worthy objectives of producing world class athletes. Our aim is to identify and develop the abundance of raw talent in our communities and provide them with support and skills to achieve their full potential.”
Elana van Zyl-Meyer (Director – Endurocad)
Mr Theo Pellissier, Principal of Stellenbosch High School adds,
“We are very excited to host the inaugural group of athletes at our school. Stellenbosch High School is uniquely positioned for this initiative as it not only boasts the necessary amenities, it is also renowned for its welcoming culture and the personal touch. It has a long history of attracting learners from the furthest corners of the Western and the Northern Cape and beyond”
Supporting van Zyl-Meyer will be Nolene Conrad as the Athletes Manager of the Stellenbosch Athletics Bursary Programme. She will be overseeing the everyday running of the programme and the athletes. Her vast experience as a high performance athlete, teaching and coaching will offer an incredible opportunity for the bursary athletes.
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