|
The Thanda Soccer Program consists of classroom and soccer activity divided on a 50/50 ratio. The students spend 50% of their time in the classroom concentrating on homework and academic work with food supplied and the other 50% participating in organized soccer activities. The soccer activities are broken down into stretch, warm up, activity, game and cool down.
Stretch - During the stretch it is a time to talk and concentrate students on the theory of the day’s activities. During this time we introduce the life skills such as Respect, Honesty, Perseverance, Judgment etc. The life skills are related to both soccer and life.
Warm Up - We then introduce a warm up that involves team building or a personal target.
Activity - Next we train the students in a specific soccer skill or skills.
Game - Finally we conclude the program with a competitive game then a cool down exercise.
Thanda’s soccer program was created to address the needs of the students on a physical and academic level. Soccer is by far the number one sport in South Africa. It is a common subject that all people can relate to. The importance of involving soccer in the curriculum addresses varying needs -
1. Students need a safe environment after school that is fun and where learning and creativity is encouraged.
2. Students require extra academic help to replace the inadequate education on offer at local schools.
3. Students need to be encouraged to concentrate and spend extra time in academics. In order to participate in soccer and the feeding program they must have good attendance and be actively participating in the classroom.
4. Students need positive role models and activities to turn their attention from other influences such as drugs, alcohol and crime.
Positive Choices is the theme for the program. We provide a fun safe environment whilst talking about life skills such as honesty, integrity, teamwork, respect, perseverance etc. These life skills are be related to the sporting activities that the children undertake. We talk about the importance of making the right choices on the field of play and relating that to making the right choices in life. Activities will include agility and coordination, individual and team challenges as well as soccer.
We provide high-energy games, which are challenging for the children and we will constantly change the activities. We will also make sure that there are activities that every child can participate in no matter how athletic. There will be an element of education involved and the children will have to do some problem solving at stages.
Thanda is attempting to create a program that every child wants to participate in. A fun program including character development components. It should be sustainable and locally owned. The students should always feel comfortable with the environment and it will provide a safe enjoyable place for them so they can truly have a platform to be all they can be.
|
|
)
)
)
)
