The Anton Bantu Athletics Academy is thriving post-Covid. Based at the Macassar Sports Grounds, there’s a daily buzz on the main fields where dozens of children are coached to run, stretch, practise and go through the motions of honing their skills on the track and field.
And it’s not in vain. Just recently one of the athletes participated in the National Primary Schools Track and Field Championships, held in Potchefstroom, North West, and just weeks earlier a further three athletes went to the WP Junior Track and Field Championships.
All returned with impressive finishes, and these accomplishments are exactly what motivates the academy to reach the underprivileged and disadvantaged. The vision of the academy stretches way beyond that of just athletic ability.
“Our approach is holistic,” stresses the academy’s coach, Lewellyn de Wee. “We want to changes lives, attitudes, and help youngsters find themselves.”
Together with fellow coach Patrick Jansen, he embarked on a mission to impact the community positively, providing opportunities for the youth and change lives totally.
“We started this programme three years ago to develop aspiring athletes and provide expert advice,” said De Wee, himself a former professional athlete. “We work with the youngsters daily and get them where they want to be. But more than that, we build character, inspire confidence and do what we do with purpose and a vision.”
De Wee said the academy helps youth “find themselves” and have included a “personal life skills” programme as part of the daily training.
“We host seminars and interact with the children on a mental level. Everything we do is for the overall upliftment of the community,” he said, adding that running had changed not only his life but also his outlook, and that’s something he wants to share with others.
De Wee also extended a word of thanks to Endurocad – a distance running and endurance sports academy run by Elana Meyer as well as the Lwandle Athletics Club, which assisted the academy recently with transport and logistics, getting athletes to various competitions to participate.
V To get in touch with the academy contact de Wee on 062 970 3660.
