Minister unveils new sports courts at 'Plain high schools

National sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie and deputy minister Peace Mabe officially unveiled and handed over two state-of-the-art multi-purpose sport facilities and attire worth close to R3.4 million to Mitchell’s Plain and Portland high schools on Monday, May 12.

The installation of the two facilities was made possible by a collaboration between the national and provincial departments, Supersport, as well as The Sports Trust, as part of the Ministerial Outreach Programme.

According to Carol Crawford, marketing and communication manager of The Sports Trust, the value of the Mitchell’s Plain High facility for hockey, five-a-side soccer, volleyball and netball, is R1.4 million.

The Sports Trust, which is the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s implementation partner, is a public benefit organisation that provides sporting equipment and facilities to schools in under-resourced communities

The value of the Portland High facility is close to R2 million as it caters for five-a-side soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball and tennis.

“These courts actually last for 20 years, are low maintenance and eco-friendly – there's zero waste. The base tile is made of recycled plastic bottle tops, made by a company in Brits.

“The turf also gives lateral forgiveness on the joints. When the kids are running on it, the plastic interlocking tiles move and it reduces the stress on their joints," said Ms Crawford.

She said the construction of the artificial turf facilities also benefited contractors from Mitchell’s Plain and surrounding communities who installed the courts.  

Portland High principal Ridwaan Williams said the new multi-purpose court, which was constructed last year, is a welcomed addition to the school’s existing netball court and five-a-side soccer court.

Mr Williams said he hopes the facilities launched at Mitchell’s Plain and Portland high schools will be the first two of many more facilities to be built at other schools in Mitchell’s Plain.

“Every school deserves one of these play areas because it keeps the kids away from other disruptive things. The development of sport for our school is very important. That's why we've got multiple codes, and we've got multiple teams.

“This allows more learner support because now we've got multiple areas where they can actually play.

“The important thing about this is that it opens up some opportunities for the rest of the community also. I want primary schools to come and play in tournaments here.

“The main idea is to give learners an opportunity to participate in team sport. When they play, I see how happy they are. Can you hear those girls shouting because they are happy,” he said, gesturing to a group of pupils playing netball.

Thanking the sponsors, he appealed to other corporates to invest in building sport facilities at schools in Mitchell’s Plain and elsewhere on the Cape Flats.

Portland High netball players gave the new courts a big-thumbs up.

“We appreciate what the school and sponsors are doing by bringing us these facilities. Not all schools have the money to build a court like this one. What is great is that it is not just for netball but other sporting codes like soccer and basketball too,” said Grade 11 pupil, Bianca Solomon.

“It’s a big opportunity for us. The new court is also safer as we won’t slip while playing on rainy days,” said Grade 11 pupil, Keyana Philander.