Blackburn College good sports in African adventure (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn College good sports in African adventure

6:00am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

A GROUP of sports students at Blackburn College were given a life-changing chance to visit South Africa.

The pupils took the trip to Cape Town, on Africa’s west coast, to coach some of the continent’s most deprived youngsters.

With 60 applicants and only ten places for the trip, tutors Damien Stewart and Christopher Edwards had a job on their hands choosing who should take part, using criteria such as punctuality and attendance to make the decision.

For some of the students travelling such a long distance was unfamiliar territory.

“We had two students who had never been out of the country. One had never flown before,” said Mr Stewart.

While there, the students put on a series of games sessions, including football, for over 40 young locals.

The youngsters from local townships, aged between 14 and 19, took part in the sporting activities over two days.

Mr Stewart said: “I was extremely proud of the way the students handled themselves. They did a fantastic job.”

While in Cape Town the students took time out to visit some of the area’s landmarks.

Areas of natural beauty such as Table Mountain and Cape Point, Africa’s southernmost tip, proved a contrast to the infamous District six.

Mr Stewart said: “It was an area where people were cleared out of their homes to make room for new housing during apartheid.”

Photographers from the college also took part in the trip, and undertook a photo project in the region’s shanty towns.

Mr Stewart said: “The level of professionalism, and sheer quality of delivery from all members of the group was a privilege to be part of.”

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