The legacy pitches are part of the Spaces for Sports partnership valued at US$300 000 between Barclays Bank and Grassroot Soccer Zimbabwe which was launched in June 2011.
The three year partnership in Bulawayo and Gweru would train 100 community role models and educate 15 000 graduates using its Skillz curriculum to instil key messages aimed at reducing HIV / AIDS and improving financial literacy, thereby enabling the beneficiaries to lead healthier lifestyles and improve their economic prospects.
The aim of the Legacy Pitches partnership was to refurbish five primary school soccer pitches and one youth centre with two of the recipients also getting a grass turf installed.
Ingwegwe Primary School, St Benards Primary School, Mhali Primary School and Mawaba Primary School received new goal posts or had their goal posts repainted, soccer nets, corner flags and team benches. Magwegwe Primary School and Inyathi Youth Centre pitches were refurbished in the same fashion but also had a grass turf installed in addition.
The pitch at Magwegwe Primary School has since been completed and is ready to be commissioned while work at Inyathi Youth Centre is still ongoing.
The Champion for this partnership, Barclays Executive Wonder Nyabereka said the partnership with Grassroots Soccer was a great example of sustainable community development.
‘At Barclays, the Spaces for Sports community-based sports programme is designed to create a platform to help young people develop life skills whilst revitalising disadvantaged communities in a sustainable way. We have made a commitment to invest in the development of our next generation through life, financial and entrepreneurial skills transfer. The GRS programme does exactly that,’ said Nyabereka.
“The Barclays Spaces for Sports Programme will not only benefit the schools but the communities that they serve. We hope that our youth will take advantage of these pitches to develop their skills and take the life skills and financial literacy lessons on board to improve their lives,” said Grassroot Soccer.
Post published in: Business