2015 Jack Cheetham and Letsema Award

06 November 2015

Waves for Change and Wheelchair Tennis South Africa score first place at the 2015 Jack Cheetham and Letsema Awards.

Johannesburg, 5 November 2015 - Murray & Roberts, in partnership with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), hosted the 34^rd annual Jack Cheetham Memorial and Letsema Awards at a gala event held in Sandton tonight.

Waves of Change was awarded the Jack Cheetham Memorial Award for their outstanding development work within the Cape Town community, and the Letsema Award for sporting projects for disabled athletes, went to Wheelchair Tennis South Africa.  Both projects receive R500 000 payable over five years.

Runner up in the Jack Cheetham Award for able bodied sports development projects went to Umzinyathi Canoe Club, with No Limits Trampoline Club taking third place. In the Letsema category, runner up went to Fulton School for the Deaf and third place was awarded to the National Association for Blind Bowlers, Ekurhuleni Region.

Runners up in each category receive R150 000 over three years, while third place winners receive R75 000 for the same period.

For Group Chief Executive, Henry Laas, the awards are a way for Murray & Roberts to help transform lives. “Sport is an opportunity to positively affect the lives of young South Africans and with the additional financial support provided through the awards, we look forward to seeing these projects nurture and develop our youth and sporting talent into the future.”

About the Awards

The Jack Cheetham Memorial Award was initiated by Murray & Roberts 34 years ago in recognition of the special qualities of Jack Cheetham, a former director of the company and the inspirational captain of the South African cricket team in the 1950s who was able to instil in young people the belief that they could win. The award targets sports development projects, focusing on individuals or teams that have the potential to be champions.

The Murray & Roberts Letsema Award was first awarded in 2009 following the outstanding performance of athlete Hilton Langenhoven who captured the attention of the world at the 2008 Paralympics in Athens. This award recognises sports development projects for people with disabilities.

 
ABOUT THE 2015 JACK CHEETHAM AND LETSEMA AWARDS FINALISTS:

JACK CHEETHAM AWARDS

WINNER:

Waves for Change

Waves for Change provides surf therapy programmes for young people affected by violence and abuse in volatile township communities. The programme aims to correct the anti-social and high-risk behaviour patterns that are associated with continuous exposure to emotional distress and trauma through intensive surf training and psychosocial support services. The programme also aims to be inclusive and transform the South African surfing landscape. Waves for Change was formally launched in 2012 and now reaches 250 youth each week and employing 16 coaches across three townships in Cape Town.

 
FIRST RUNNER-UP:

uMzinyathi Canoe Club – Development Team

The uMzinyathi Canoe Club, based at the Shongweni Dam in rural KZN is a development programme that was initiated 10 years ago and targets youth from the local communities, with a strong focus on girls. There are currently 30 paddlers in the development programme. The programme builds; confidence, discipline and self-esteem among the participants which improves their academic and social skills. The development team has achieved recognition at provincial and national competitions, with one of the team members, Sbonelo Kwhela winning the Dusi Canoe marathon and non-stop Dusi. 

SECOND RUNNER-UP:

No Limits Trampoline Club

The club was established 16 years ago and has 100 registered members comprising youth from Sebokeng, Three Rivers and Johannesburg South. No Limits Trampoline Club provides training in the sport of trampoline, with emphasis on providing equal opportunities for all children who display an interest or talent in the sport irrespective of race, age or gender or the ability to pay membership fees.

Through the club, a number of gymnasts have participated in national and international competitions. 14 gymnasts participated in competitions in Denmark, achieving 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze medals.  

LETSEMA AWARDS

WINNER:

Wheelchair Tennis South Africa

Wheelchair Tennis South Africa was established in 2005 and has grown participation in the sport from 18 players to over 500 players today. They have also expanded their network to include 50 centres across all 9 provinces and host 6 International Tennis Federation events annually. The programme consists of an introduction to the sport at interested clubs, then offers weekly group coaching and equipment.  Players who perform well are introduced to competition at regional and national level and then progressing to participation at international events. Due to the work and impact of WTSA, South Africa has the second highest number of wheelchair tennis players, ranking 4th in the world in terms of the Quads division, 8th in the Open Women's and 11th in the Open Men's Division. Their goal is to have a minimum of six players qualifying for the Paralympics in 2016. 

FIRST RUNNERS-UP:

Fulton School for the Deaf

The Fulton School caters for learners with special needs, specifically children who are deaf, intellectually impaired and autistic. The school, based in Kwa-Zulu Natal, has always promoted sports and after employees sought permission to establish a team with severe behavioural problems to participate in a triathlon and seeing the positive result, the sport has grown to include 60 leaners.

The triathlon includes autistic learners, those with cerebral palsy and severe intellectual impairment. 

SECOND RUNNER-UP:

National Association for Blind Bowlers – Ekurhuleni Region

The National Association for Blind Bowlers caters for bowlers with varying levels of visual impairment and was established in 1963.  In South Africa it has a membership of 170 players across 11 regions. The Ekurhuleni region formed from the split of the Central Gauteng region caters for bowlers across the East Rand and promotes the sport to other disabled persons. Despite the challenges being faced, the ER has achieved some outstanding results in competitions with bowlers winning mainly Gold and Silver medals in several competitions. One of the future plans for this region is preparation for the Nationals and eventually the World Bowls competition in New Zealand.

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