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Real stories from real young people, families, coaches, and communities. This is why we show up every day.
Featured Story
I Found My Voice on the Field
Before I joined the Life’s a Ball programme, I was very shy and scared to speak in front of people. I come from a small RDP house where it’s just me, my mom and my little sister. I used to feel invisible at school. When the Youth Sport Leader asked me to lead a warm-up for our team, I almost said no. My heart was beating fast, but I tried and everyone clapped for me!
All Stories
Recovering Confidence and Saying No to Alcohol
Recovering Confidence and Saying No to Alcohol Back Recovering Confidence and Saying No to Alcohol I live in Atteridgeville and started drinking last year when life got too stressful. My mom lost her job and I felt like everything was falling apart. My friends used...
Learning About Choices and Responsibility
Learning About Choices and Responsibility Back Learning About Choices and Responsibility I live with my mom in a small township called Kekana near Hammanskraal. My mom works long hours as a domestic worker and sometimes we don’t have enough money for everything we need. I...
My Rights and My Responsibility
Naledi Maninjwe, 13 Back My Rights and My Responsibility I live in a small house in New Eersterust with my mom, father and three brothers. Growing up, I was always told that girls should stay quiet and not take up space. I love sport but...
From Anger to Peace
Themba Simango, 15 – From Anger to Peace Back Anonymous Participant – From Anger to Peace I live in Atteridgeville where fighting and shouting are normal. Even at home, arguments happened almost every night. I learned from a young age that if you want to...
I Want to Be a Role Model
I Want to Be a Role Model Back I Want to Be a Role Model My father drinks a lot and it makes me angry. I thought that’s just how life is for people in our area. But when our Youth Sport Leader talked about...
I Said No and I’m Proud
I Said No and I’m Proud Back I Said No and I’m Proud In our community, it’s normal to see older kids drinking on weekends. One day, some friends asked me to come to a party. They said I should just “try one drink.” But...
Inclusion Means Everyone
Inclusion Means Everyone Back Inclusion Means Everyone I didn’t think much about inclusion. There’s a boy in my class with a learning disability and some learners used to laugh at him. But during our sessions, our coach taught us that everyone deserves to play and...
Sport Helped Me Believe I Can
Sport Helped Me Believe I Can Back Sport Helped Me Believe I Can In my community, most people think sport is only for boys. I used to just sit and watch them play soccer after school. When Altus Sport started the Life’s a Ball sessions,...
Helping Others Helped Me Grow
Helping Others Helped Me Grow Back Helping Others Helped Me Grow Being part of the Olympic Club has been the best experience for me. We plan games for the Grade 3 learners and help them during activities. At first, I didn’t think they would listen...
I Learned to Choose Peace
I Learned to Choose Peace Back I Learned to Choose Peace I used to get angry quickly, especially when someone pushed me during a session. I thought shouting back or fighting made me strong. But through Altus Sport, our coach Gontse taught us about fair...
Teamwork Taught Me Respect
Teamwork Taught Me Respect Back Teamwork Taught Me Respect When I joined Life’s a Ball, I only wanted to play soccer with my best friends. I didn’t like being told to play with other learners, especially ones I didn’t know. But our coach said sport...
I Found My Voice on the Field
I Found My Voice on the Field Back I Found My Voice on the Field Before I joined the Life’s a Ball programme, I was very shy and scared to speak in front of people. I come from a small RDP house where it’s just...