CoolPlay Youth Day Celebration: Bigger and Better in 2024!
CoolPlay Youth Day Celebration
July 2, 2024

This year’s CoolPlay Youth Day was held on Saturday 15 June and was a resounding success, building on the momentum of the inaugural event in 2023. Over 315 high school students from across the CoolPlay programme descended upon Heathfield High School for a day of friendly competition and life skills activities.

The energy was electric as students from Bulumko High and Luhlaza High (Khayelitsha), Cloetesville High (Stellenbosch), Sarepta High and Masibambane High (Northern Suburbs) battled it out on the rugby, netball, and soccer fields and courts. We were also thrilled to welcome Heathfield High as our official host, and their enthusiasm was further amplified by the inclusion of local neighbours Bergvleit High who have subsequently offered support Heathfield High for facility maintenance that is needed.

This diverse group being brought together is a testament to the growing impact of CoolPlay. It was encouraging to see students from different schools and communities coming together to celebrate Youth Day through the unifying power of sport.

Beyond the Games: Building Skills and Community

CoolPlay Youth Day wasn’t just about winning or losing. The event also incorporated an hour of life skills activities, ensuring a well-rounded experience for the participants. Spectators also gained a good understanding of the work being done across the province on a daily basis.  The CoolPlay Way fosters teamwork, communication, and leadership through the specially crafted Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum, which develops essential skills for success on and off the field.

Life skills activities

The smiles on the students’ faces throughout the day proved how sport can be a powerful tool for social development, bringing young people together and fostering a sense of belonging and growing together.

A Huge Thank You to Our Supporters

This incredible event wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of our partners and sponsors:

  • Sport for Social Change Network
  • Kolisi Foundation
  • Under Armour 
  • The HCI Foundation (facilitating transport)
  • Spur (providing meals for all participants)
  • PenBev (ensuring drinks were available for everyone)
  • GRIT – Gender Rights In Tech (Formerly Kwanele Bringing Women Justice), sharing their use of tech for good and who have harnessed the power of technology to make a difference. Through their tech-based solutions, they facilitate reporting, provide guidance, connect survivors to legal professionals, and offer in-person court support and access to post-violence care.  

Spur feeding hungry players and supporters

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued volunteers:

  • 7 scholars from Rondebosch Boys High School
  • 8 students from North Dakota State University
  • Banele Luvulo – Masters Student from the University of Stellenbosch

Their dedication and enthusiasm were instrumental in making CoolPlay Youth Day a success.

Celebrating Sportsmanship: The Johan Schlebusch Trophy & Motivation from CoolPlay Ambassador – Blitzbok Siviwe ‘Shakes’ Soyizwapi “

The group was encouraged and inspired by a motivational chat by Blitzbok idol, known as Shakes, who has also been welcomed as an official CoolPlay Ambassador and after a long stint with injury is preparing to represent South Africa at the 2024 Olympics.

The Johan Schlebusch trophy was awarded to Masibambane High School for displaying exceptional team spirit “in the CoolPlay Way” and positive competitive behaviour throughout the day.

Shakes

Looking Forward: Building a Brighter Future

The continued growth of CoolPlay Youth Day is a positive sign for the future. With each passing year, the event brings together more students, strengthens relationships between schools, and promotes the positive values that CoolPlay embodies.

We will be back in the fields for another Youth Day Celebration in June 2025 – watch this space.

Champions and RBHS Volunteers 2024