BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
A local non-profit organisation Young Achievement for Sports Development (YASD) has come up with a cricket initiative dubbed “Over The Boundary” which is meant to benefit young people enthused in the sport from disadvantaged communities.
The project has already seen individuals and youths in four high density surburbs in Harare and Chitungwiza benefit.
YASD, a youth organisation which uses sport to impact disadvantaged communities, are also the custodians of the Homeless World Cup initiative in Zimbabwe.
“Over The Boundary is a grassroots cricket development mentorship and coaching programme that focuses on introducing the game of cricket to communities that have no access to the sport,” the organisation’s communications officer Joe Kuseka told The Sports Hub.
“Over the Boundary equips young people from marginalised and vulnerable communities with the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to be economic leaders in their families and communities.
“It is designed for young people aged seven and 18, who are living in marginalised communities. The programme is typically offered on a weekly basis, over the course of 10 months and focuses on 70% cricket skills coaching and 30% life skills,” he added.
The programme is delivered through four modules founded on four, pillars which include personal development and self-awareness, sexual reproductive health rights, human rights and financial literacy.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“This initiative was birthed from the impact YASD noted when it introduced cricket in Hatcliffe. The sport was well received by young people from the community.
“We noted a reduction in school absenteeism, improved school performance by participants. From these results YASD then designed a curriculum which was not just sport based but encompassed social development aspects which mentored and moulded young people to be focused and to aspire for better life.
Over The Boundary has seen YASD targeting four primary communities that is Mbare, Chitungwiza, Mufakose and Glen View. The programme also mainstreams disability and extends support to participants with physical disability who are interested in cricket,” Kuseka said.
Beneficiaries of cricket kit support from YASD so far include the Gladiators Cricket Club in Chitungwiza, players from Mbare who are at Centurion Club, Mufakose as well as Glen View Cricket Development club.
YASD has partnered organisations such as Zimsef and Grassroots Cricket in this community development through sport project.
“Over the next two years we hope that this initiative will be reaching out to over a 1000 young people and opening up opprtunities for them to have access to cricket,” Kuseka said.
“Our short term plans are to avail cricket equipment and facilities to marginalised communities so as to develop grassroots cricket. We also plan to avail life changing opportunities for the participants though scholarships and access to coaching courses.”
