Laureus YES programme kicks off in South Africa

April 16, 2013

Teaching young people how to use sport for the good of their communities is one of the most important things Laureus does around the world. And one of the most exciting ways this is now being achieved is through the Laureus YES programme.

The name stands for Youth Empowerment through Sports and is a course for young people from community sports organisations to become the future leaders of the sport for good movement.

Following last year’s successful launch of the programme, Laureus are excited to announce this week the second intake of students joining the YES programme have begun their training in what is hoped will be a life-changing experience for them.

Overall, 40 students aged from 18 to 25 from South Africa and Lesotho have come together in Durban SA for the nine day training experience that will also see them travel to Cape Town, and Johannesburg.

The first stage of the programme will take place in Shongweni Dam at Spirit of Adventure leadership project (SOA). Here, skills based learning will be combined with adventure activities such as abseiling, rock climbing and canoeing to push the young leaders to their limits to promote their leadership skills.

But the training won’t stop there.

The youngsters will also benefit from IT skills sessions, education in the social and psychological aspects of sport and, crucially, even lessons in how to run their own sport for good projects focussing on subjects like fundraising and marketing.

It is an ambitious and intensive programme, but following the great success of last year’s intake there’s no doubt the 40 new students will find it a fascinating and rewarding period of learning as well.

Good luck to everyone taking part!