SuperUser Account / 29 May 2011 / Categories: World-wide IC News IC South Africa’s Development Project Gets Underway The Kids and the teachers 19th April 2011 was a watershed date for the IC South Africa……finally the Development project saw the light of day! Two sets of equipment were delivered to Zimele Lower Primary School in Vosloorus, one of many townships in Gauteng, situated some 100kms from Pretoria and 40 kms from Johannesburg. There was great excitement as the bags were opened in the parking lot of the school. Organised by Patric, the project co-ordinator, and several teachers, children from Zimele, together with pupils from Fortune Kunene Primary, the second school involved, walked to the Vosloorus Tennis Club, to be given an introduction to the game of tennis. Patric has a natural ability to connect with the kids and proceeded to practice some ball skills with the unschooled children. Much fun and laughter followed! A small group of kids have already received some coaching and these were put through their paces by one of the coaches who will oversee the volunteer teachers at the 2 schools involved. Patric explains The teachers learn how Having Fun We won Little star ! Some style..... Ready.... Michael For this project we have partnered with the SA Tennis Association in expanding a small existing programme. Previously catering for about 30 children, we hope that the project will reach 200 kids by year end because of our contribution. The majority of learners will initially be taught by teachers (who have completed the Play and Stay course) in an open space in the grounds of the school while the more advanced and those identified as having the potential, will be taken for further coaching by qualified coaches at the nearby Vosloorus Tennis Club which makes its facilities available free of charge. It is hoped that we will be able to move the entire group to the courts in the near future. SATA and the IC have so far invested matching funding in terms of equipment and coaching costs. We will continue to do so as we identify where and how the funds should be used. We anticipate the first reports from the coaches and teachers at the end of this school term in mid June. Previous Article South Africa has a New Chairperson Next Article Latest South African Newsletter Print 10417