The Sunday Mail
Enock Nyambo
TWELVE Zimbabwean school sports administrators were offered a rare opportunity to participate in a two weeks United States — Zimbabwean school sport administrators exchange programme.
The programme was organised by the United States Embassy and was meant to expose them to high school and youth sporting activities in the United States.
Not only was it intended to allow school sports professionals to experience the level of high school sport in the US, but also to learn about the ways in which sport can be used as a tool for youth empowerment.
The high-powered delegation that left Zimbabwe on March 30, and returned on April 14, 2016.
The team comprised Julia Chibhabha (teacher-in-charge of girls sport —Eaglesvale Senior School); Simba Dangah (teacher and sports coach at Christian Brothers College in Bulawayo); Brendan French (the director of sport, Falcon College); Rick Kershaw (sports director, Hellenic Academy); Simeon Lawson (sports director — Maranatha Christian High School); Brenda Leipe (track and field coach / field hockey coach / rowing team supervisor — St George’s College); Jamie Lewis (teacher-in-charge of hockey, physical education coach and English teacher, Dominican Convent High School); Crispen Mhike (sports director, Hillcrest College); Catherine Roper (sports director, Arundel School); Niall Milner (school house master and teacher-in-charge of athletics, St John’s College, Harare); Joanne Swanapoel (member, sports department, Arundel School, multi-sports coach — first team and Under 14 field and indoor hockey team, swimming, rowing team, diving, assisting athletics) and Masi Takaedza (Dominican Convent Primary School — PE and Swimming teacher).
The visit was designed to be a two-way exchange where sports administrators have the opportunity to share best practices, challenges, and brainstorm the improvements for the sports they represent.
Delightfully surprised with the competence, dedication and expressiveness of the Zimbabwean delegation, the hosts affirmed: “We have a great group of sports directors and coaches with us this month from Zimbabwe! They are really interested and engaging in all of the sessions”.
The group had an eventful 14-day period.
A sports director at Maranatha Christian High School, Simeon Lawson says the most memorable days for him were when they “got to view an Arlington Park and Recreational facility, Barcroft Athletic Complex”.
“We then went to the George Mason ropes course, The Edge. As a team, we did very well on the ropes course and were not easily stumped by the challenges posed by the instructor.
“On day ten, we experienced the most beautiful day in DC! First up was a field hockey match between Georgetown University and Towson University. Then we spent the rest of the day touring all the historical monuments that DC has to offer,” said Lawson.
Living up to its billing, the public affairs office of the United States Embassy unfalteringly supported the initiative.
The deputy public affairs officer at the United States Embassy, Kelly McCaleb’s expectations were met as the delegation confirmed: “. . . through this group trip, we got exposure to the realities of high school sport and its role in American society including spending time at a few different types of high schools, with sports teachers and coaches, at practices and experiencing large high school sports events such as a track meet and basketball and soccer tournaments”.
The author, Enock Nyambo can be contacted on [email protected] Cell: 0773 243 003
