Township Kids to Enjoy Hockey training sessions with Netherlands Club

The Amy Biehl Foundation is once again spreading the love and commitment to those less fortunate

Thirty township girls - aged 12 to 15 years - from Cape Town will learn how to boost their hockey skills during a training spree with a Netherlands Ladies Hockey Club.

The sports development programme will take place on 8 and 12 February 2010 at Hartleyvale. The overseas club has travelled to South Africa to help grow the sport in the country and make a positive impact on the lives of the children.

According to the Amy Biehl Foundation spokesperson Ilchen Retief, this is the second overseas hockey club that has offered to participate in the Trust's sports development programme. Since 2006 the Lurgan Ladies Hockey Club from Northern Ireland has been coming to South Africa each year for a week-long hockey and soccer skills academy.

Retief says the sports development programme provides a safe and supportive environment for children to experience the physical and mental challenges associated with sport. “It provides an opportunity for local youth to develop their skills and to channel their energies into healthy and constructive activities. Currently, over 150 students per week are trained in soccer, netball and field hockey.”

The Foundation is named after Amy Biehl, an American Fullbright Scholar who was the victim of political mob violence in Gugulethu outside of Cape Town in 1993. More than 1 000 children benefit from the Amy Biehl Foundation programmes.

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