Local Soccer Clinics Take Shape in Knysna, South Africa thanks to Nathalie Van Erkelens from ‘The Netherlands’!
Local boys Rushaad and Cheslin are pursuing a life long ambition of running their own soccer clinics for people in the Knysna area.
Rushaad and Cheslin have always been soccer crazy and in 2009 had the privilege of taking part in the Homeless World Cup, an annual international soccer tournament which exposes underprivileged young people to experiences and places which they normally could only dream of. Taking part in the Homeless World Cup involved 2 months of intense training in Cape Town and took them on a journey to Italy – an extremely exciting adventure for them!
Like many young people in Rushaad and Cheslin haven’t always had easy lives and this opportunity has empowered them to take control of their own lives and do something that they are very passionate about. Over the last month they have been running daily soccer clinics for…well just about any one in the local community who wants to join in! In the future they would like to extend their clinics to involve local schools and perhaps in the long term these soccer clinics will expand into a successful business for them.
Often in schools where funding is limited sports is the last priority; however sports can be an excellent tool for social and personal development, as well as being something very enjoyable for young people. It is this which inspires Rushaad and Cheslin to run their clinics – they want to give young people in the local community something that they can be passionate about; something that makes their lives more enjoyable; and ultimately something that will help them develop as a person. The strength and ambition of these two young men is an inspiration to all and we are confident that they will be a great success.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
