CoolPlay Tournament Brings Fun, Teamwork, and Happy Feet to Khayelitsha!
May 2, 2024

On Friday, 26th April, CoolPlay hosted a tournament in Khayelitsha! This exciting event was planned by local Champion, Mzie Kunjuzwa, known for his love of rugby and his dedication to the children in his community. 180 excited children attended a day filled with sportsmanship, learning and healthy fun. The event was hosted at the Khayelitsha Stadium with thanks to the City of Cape Town for the use of this facility with added security- ensuring the safety of everyone that attended.

The day kicked off with two thrilling soccer matches. The U13 boys’ and girls’ teams from Izhwezilesizwe Primary and Eluxolweni Primary, both CoolPlay schools, battled it out on the fields. After the soccer games, everyone headed over to the rugby fields for something a little different.

The children were divided into four groups and participated in fun activities and discussions guided by energetic Champions Simphiwe, Sinovuyo, Thembani and Justice. These weren’t your typical sports drills though. They focused on the important building blocks of strong teams – values, character and team spirit. The message they learned? Every player has a crucial role, and just like in a team, everyone needs to work together to succeed!

U11 and U13 rugby matches took place between Eluxolweni and Ikhwezilesizwe Primary as well as each school fielding U12 and U13 netball teams.

To keep all these energetic athletes fueled up, meals were provided for everyone. Each child enjoyed a boerewors roll, a pack of chips, fruit, and a soft drink.

The fun didn’t stop there! Thanks to the generosity of Our Shoes, all 180 children went home with a pair of gently worn shoes, shipped all the way from Ireland to South Africa. These shoes were a fantastic surprise, and they sent everyone home with a happy smile on their face, ready to tackle the weekend.

This CoolPlay tournament wasn’t just about scoring goals or winning tackles. It was about teamwork, sportsmanship, and the importance of everyone playing their part. By combining physical activity with valuable life lessons, and providing for the children’s basic needs, CoolPlay is making a real difference in the lives of children in Khayelitsha.

CoolPlay is SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST SPORT!