Giving Westlake Village a sporting chance
Rugby, soccer and netball teams have been formed, grounds are being prepared and sports equipment is being sourced for new youth sports programmes in Westlake Village.
“There are great things afoot,” ward councillor Carolynne Franklin promised the township’s residents during a public meeting at the Commando Hall last month.
She said the netball court would be resurfaced by the City and players would get bibs paid for by her ward budget.
The municipality would also mow the sports field so that the community’s children could play there, she said.
Last Saturday, about 20 residents of all ages started a clean-up to get the netball court ready for resurfacing, and they cleared rubbish from the sports field.
Thandinkosi Mhlaba, a resident leading the sporting initiatives with his wife, Hibury, said his alma mater, Wynberg Boys’ High, had shown him the positive impact sport, culture and public service could have on the youth.
“These schools paved the way for me, and I feel I can do the same for our community. I feel empowered to help now that Westlake leaders are showing support, and I’m currently using all my connections with potential resources to drive this change. I reached out to the school through the Wynberg Old Boys’ Union to assist the urgent need,” Mr Mhlaba said.
The Wynberg Old Boys’ Union contacted the school’s rugby director, Nic Groom, who committed the high school to supporting the project with balls, shoulder shields, cones, and bibs.
“Service to our community is at the heart of a Wynberg education, and we’re humbled by the work continuing to be done by Thandinkosi and other ‘brothers in an endless chain’ who strive to make a difference in the lives of young sports folk,” Mr Groom said.
According to Mr Mhlaba, 35 women have joined the netball team. They practise on Tuesdays and will be split into age groups later. There are two soccer teams, one a mixed age group that practises on Mondays and an older group that plays at False Bay College on Saturdays, and one rugby team of mixed ages and with varied practise times.
To learn more or join any of the sports initiatives, email westlakedevforum@gmail.com
