About us

About CoolPlay

CoolPlay is a 15-year-old South African non-profit organisation that empowers children from underprivileged communities with life-changing psychosocial skills through team sports – building character, resilience, and emotional well-being on and off the field.

Who we are

CoolPlay (CoolPlay Trust) is a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa. Founded in 2010 by Barry O'Mahony, we work with schools and communities to give children safe and inclusive spaces to play, learn and grow.

Our work is aligned with the UN SDGs 3, 4, 5, 8, 11.

What we do

Through a structured team sport programme, we teach 12 CoolPlay Coaching Cards that focus on SEL and mental wellbeing to empower children to succeed in every area of life.

  • Goal Setting
  • Values
  • Character
  • Team Cohesion
  • Communication
  • Maintaining Composure
  • Developing Optimism
  • Good Decision-making
  • Gender Awareness
  • Understanding Emotions
  • Managing Stress
  • Building Resilience

Why it matters

Children in South African townships experience an average of eight traumatic events annually — witnessing gang violence, death, abuse, and living with substance-addicted caregivers. By age 16, they've endured over 100 traumas. With parents often busy or absent, minimal after-school support and overwhelmed schools, these children are left vulnerable to substance abuse, gang recruitment and teenage pregnancy.

  • Mental Health and Wellbeing — Children living in trauma-induced areas learn how to self regulate and handle themselves when under extreme pressure.
  • Social & Emotional Learning — Critical social and emotional skills are not being taught consistently in the schools or homes where they live. We address this gap head-on.
  • Academic Success — A learner's ability to succeed academically and professionally is strongly correlated with their social & emotional intelligence.
  • Lifelong Impact — We set learners up for success as they navigate life, equipping them with tools to grow in confidence, resilience and mental awareness. This enables them to not only survive, but thrive in life.

Our impact

More than 2,500 children are impacted by the programme every week, delivered through 25 partner schools in 6 areas. To date we have delivered more than 45,000 training sessions and trained 167 champions.

Measured outcomes (2025 data)

  • 93% of learners consistently set goals, are excited and motivated to participate in sports
  • 86% of learners regularly feel calm and in control of their emotions
  • 88% of learners are engaged, find interest in life, and stay positive when facing challenges
  • 83% of learners take initiative to support peers and actively recommend the programme
  • 72% of learners show understanding and empathy toward others' feelings and experiences
  • 64% of learners have trusted people to talk to and feel safe expressing their feelings

Impact on schools (educator reports)

  • Improved academic results among engaged learners
  • Marked behaviour improvement and better classroom engagement
  • Reduced misconduct and absenteeism
  • Children "stand out with confidence, communication, and determination"

Governance and management

Board and advisory board

  • Barry O'Mahony — Founder & Board Member
  • Saleem Sonday — Chair of the Board
  • Dr Ismail Teladia — Board Member
  • Sandy de Wet — Board Member
  • Lucie Martin — Chair of the Advisory Board
  • Denis Handley — Advisory Board Member
  • JP Maurel — Advisory Board Member
  • Gontse Tsatsi — Advisory Board Member

Management

  • Moshibudi Piet — Executive Director
  • Juandré Davids — Operations Manager
  • Carl Davids — Programme Manager
  • Damion Barends — Training Manager

Partners

We are proud to work alongside partners who share our vision for youth empowerment and social change.

  • CTBM
  • MySchool
  • Laureus
  • Nussbaum Foundation
  • Rugby Travel Ireland
  • Paul Farlam
  • Veritas Wealth
  • SELSA
  • AG Philanthropies
  • Periods for Hope
  • MasiSport
  • Under Armour
  • Otto Foundation
  • Claude Leon Foundation
  • DGMT
  • Cape Wine Auction Trust
  • Cape Cobra Leathercrafters
  • MacFarlane Family Foundation
  • Guernsey Finance
  • The Learning Trust
  • Kolisi Foundation
  • SSCN

Reports and financials

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