Developing communities around South Africa with and through handball

“Observe – with your eyes, mouth and ears.” With these words Stefan Howells, Executive Director at SCORE, pitched the young handball volunteers from Germany to their first visit of a disadvantage community in South Africa. The volunteers have been just arrived to take part in a new handball development programme offered by PLAY HANDBALL ZA in cooperation with SCORE.

With an aim of promoting and establishing handball as a new game in South Africa, PLAY HANDBALL ZA will contribute to a more diverse and gender-inclusive sport environment. The NGO is offering skills and resources to community based sports and development organisations to assist them with the implementation of this new game. Nicola Scholl, founder and managing director, says: “We assisting organisation with capacity building, by giving them guidance for the sport. I am excited to see the outcome of the volunteer work at the final tournaments in each hosting communities.” For the first volunteer term, the NPO is cooperating with SCORE, who is well-established and works in several communities in South Africa.

Four young German handball players are placed for three to six month in a disadvantage community in the Western Cape: Groendal bei Franchschoek, Mbekweni bei Paarl, Railton bei Swellendam und Dysselsdorp bei Outshoorn. In schools and afternoon programmes they will coach grade 5 to 7 classes.

After 7 intensive days of orientation in Paarl, the handball volunteers are now ready to start working. Merle Osterthun, volunteer from Oldenburg, is very excited about her start: “I want to explore the world and this is a great opportunity to do so. I’m going to a community close by, Franschoek, where I will try to carry out my ideas in regards to handball”. Managing Director, Nicola Scholl, ends the pitch with following statement: “Imagine the potential if you can gather these children around handball. Most of them just need the opportunity to shine.”

PLAY HANDBALL ZA is currently looking for partners and sponsors, which can give us the opportunity to develop our programmes and make our way out to more young people. If you are interested in further information get in contact with Nicola Scholl, PLAY HANDBALL ZA, cell +27 (0)72 4014375, info@play-handball.org.