Laureus Sport for Good Foundation

NATIONAL
FOUNDATION
REPORT
20
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation Trust
South Africa did not rest on its laurels in 2007,
but worked towards consolidation, expansion
and creating awareness of the power of sport
to change lives.
The past year has once again been an active one for the Laureus Sport for Good
Foundation Trust South Africa with numerous project interactions having taken
place. Our work is not only to support projects fi nancially but also to become a
catalyst for them by identifying opportunities from which they can grow. Our
support takes the form of sponsorship or mutually benefi cial sporting events.
We are also committed to assisting and sharing resources with other Laureus
Sport for Good Foundation projects around the world and are fortunate that our
Foundation Trustees and Friends & Ambassadors have been very supportive of
all our projects. Highlights of the year were a project visit to Fight with Insight
and the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk event in Johannesburg, an occasion that
raised R400 000 (€34 000) for the Foundation. Both events were attended by
Laureus World Sports Academy members Daley Thompson and Steve Waugh.
Friend & Ambassador Deshun Deysel carried the Laureus fl ag with her as
she conquered the seven highest peaks in the world. Later in the year, she
led a group of 20 members of the Helderberg Partnership project up Table
Mountain. For many this was their fi rst experience of mountain climbing as
well as riding in a cable car. They were joined by participants from the newly
supported project Future Champs. This project helps to enhance opportunities
for youngsters who might otherwise be drawn into a world of crime and drug
abuse. By helping youngsters to help themselves, the programme, through
sport and study groups, gives young people an alternative focus, providing
them with the means to combat negative infl uences in their area.
The world-famous Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour held in March
saw Academy member Hugo Porta join forces with nine members of IWC
Schaffhaussen in tackling the 109-kilometre race. Another Friend & Ambassador
and ex-Leeds United captain, Lucas Radebe, joined more than 1 600 youngsters
in Durban as PeacePlayers International celebrated its 12th City-Wide Tournament
and Cultural Celebration with activities that fostered unity between children of
different backgrounds, races, religions and cultures. Academy member, Boris
Becker also participated and commented that, ‘Children who learn to play sport
together can learn to live together.’
The progress made in growing the Foundation is largely due to the committed
and selfl ess project leaders who want to make the world a better place. The
annual Role Models Retreat once again brought projects together at year-end
to remind everyone that we are part of an inspiring global family.
We look forward to growing the number of projects in the next year from
nine to eleven, as well as exploring potential new sponsors. An ambitious goal
for the near future is to stage an international project forum in South Africa
that will add to the growing awareness that the Laureus brand is truly universal
in its appeal.
L A U R E U S S P O R T F O R G O O D F O U N D A T I O N A N N U A L R E V I E W