JHB South - April 2020

For the love of
THE GAME
It was her love and passion for
sport that led Mieke Coetzee
to develop a sports programme
for children.
Mieke grew up in Brackenhurst,
Alberton, and matriculated
from Hoërskool
Dinamika. Ever since she can
remember she enjoyed
being active, participating in many
different sports.
“We were always encouraged to participate,
and at an early age I realised that
sometimes you win and sometimes you
lose, but you can decide how you react
when you lose. My parents attended
most of our sports events and always
cheered us on. My younger brother,
Ockert, and I used to play action netball
together. We had so much fun, as we are
equally competitive.”
Mieke wanted to share her passion for
playing and coaching with the youth
and motivate them to follow a healthy
and active lifestyle.
She believes participation in sports
creates friendships that last a lifetime.
Children gain confidence and learn how
to deal with losing and stress and how
to cope under pressure.
“My late grandfather, Oubaas Coetzee,
who was well known in the athletics
circles in the Vaal Triangle and the South
African Athletics Association, inspired
me to not only play sports, but to go
into education and coach sports. He was
involved in the first athletics coaching
course in South Africa in 1961.”
16 Get It Joburg South April 2020
Brackenhurst sports coach Mieke Coetzee is making it her mission to help
young ones to become active in a fun environment.
...at an early age I
realised that sometimes
you win and
sometimes you lose,
but you can decide
how you react when
you lose
Her involvement in sports coaching and
umpiring at an early age and her subsequent
studies in education naturally
progressed to the birth of Active Kids
Sport Academy (AKSA).
“Starting your own business is challenging,
but at the same time very rewarding.
I very early on realised one will make
mistakes and is allowed to take a detour
as and when required.
“AKSA is still in its formative years, but
in the past three years a lot of time has
been spent on automation of our back
office processes and the compilation of
our various programmes.
“None would have been possible
without the input of various role models,
educators, peers and friends. My vision
is simple: to see young, confident,
self-assured and well-balanced children
throughout our society.”
Loving life
“I love to travel and explore different
countries, especially solo travel, which
has made me independent. I also love
connecting with people from different
cultures and backgrounds.
“I started au pairing back in 2014 and
have been blessed with a great family.
Both children are in their teens now.
I have learnt a lot when it comes to
responsibility and teaching them how to
be independent.
“I enjoy running half-marathons, playing
hockey, netball and hiking over weekends,
but when I am not active I enjoy
visiting new places in Johannesburg and
socialising with friends and family.
“All in all, I love my life and up to now,
what a life it has been!”
Details: Active Kids Sport Academy,
072 288 9808, info@activekidssportacademy.co.za
What are the benefits of the programme?
Participation in sports creates friendships that last a lifetime. Children gain
confidence and learn how to deal with losing and stress and how to cope
under pressure. Furthermore, it improves coordination, gross and fine motor
skills as well as midline crossing to help with reading and writing. Children
learn discipline, teamwork, leadership skills, better hand-eye and foot-eye
coordination and improved balance.
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