School of Sporting Excellence

The School of Sporting Excellence (SSE) selects individuals with the most promise from the schools and invites them to take part in an after-school programme, which runs daily to enhance their holistic skills and offer them the best possible infrastructure to reach their potential in life and equip them with life skills that will lead to the eventual uplifting of their families and the community around them. Moreover, once selected for the school, children are given a scholarship that includes a meal every day, transport to and from school, school uniform, books and school fees.

Scholarships

From a rigorous selection process, a number of young sportsmen and women are put forward for one of our three-tiered scholarships to the school. The three-tier system is designed to capture as many talented athletes as possible and include them in the programme while, at the same time, avoid diluting the quality of the school.

The three-tier scholarships – gold, silver and bronze – award the young athletes according to their performance in the selection process. The majority are selected to receive a bronze scholarship, many then receive silver while those with the most potential are handed gold scholarships.

GOLD

• Full school tuition
• School uniform
• School books
• Sports kit
• High level sports coaching
• Extra life skills classes
• Transport to and from school
• Access to individual case management
• A meal every day
• Continual guidance and mentorship

SILVER

• Full school tuition
• School uniform
• School books
• Sports kit
• High level sports coaching
• Extra life skills classes
• A meal everyday
• Continual guidance and mentorship
• Access to individual case management

BRONZE

• High level sports coaching
• Extra life skills classes
• Access to individual case management
• A meal every day

Sports Coaching

Coaching takes place after school hours with two-hour sessions three times a week. The sessions are geared to cover every aspect of the sport and, with a high coach to student ratio, careful attention can be paid to the specific needs of the individual sportsperson. Special focus is placed on development and progression of all individual and team skills. Playing weekly competitive fixtures has benefits for the students and also for the greater good of the school. Regular competition gives the students something to work towards and a reason to train hard as a team. It also encourages them to feel proud to be a part of the school. The students are taught about tactics and game plans and how to respect their role and the importance of teamwork. Students are given the chance to learn about the finer details of sport and given advice on biokinetics to help their performance and fitness. To create elite athletes, the students are advised to follow a set diet that will build strength and fitness during their teenage years as their bodies reach maturity.

Life Skills

The aims of the school are to not only to enhance sporting ability, but to offer a rounded and holistic education that equips young people with the necessary life skills to become mature adults. Students are given the kind of attention and education that is hard to achieve in a regular school. Our life skills programme is facilitated to include education in HIV/Aids and how to successfully manage relationships in life. The students are educated on all issues that face young people today and taught about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, crime and gangs. Our life skills classes include a practical education on issues such as dealing with money, writing a CV and applying for jobs.

Students are taught in smaller classes where they are afforded closer interaction with their mentors. The focus is on dealing with the pressures of adult life and how to handle the responsibility that comes with their talent.

Through the School of Sporting Excellence, we are confident that our students will form part of South Africa’s sporting future and become role models for a new generation.