Sport4Change

Our Mission Statement

Hoops 4 Hope is a not-for-profit organization that supports youth development in Zimbabwe and South Africa by working with schools, shelters, and community organizations.

Executive Summary

Hoops 4 Hope provides the most basic tools that young people need to play team sports and face the many challenges of growing up in communities plagued with poverty, crime, and HIV/AIDS.

We build basketball courts, organize leagues, distribute athletic equipment collected from around the United States, run coaching clinics, organize tournaments, supply financial assistance for team travel, host international basketball coaches and players, and provide children with a safe, nurturing environment in which they develop more than just skills for the court, they develop SKILLS 4 LIFE!

Achievements

• H4H after-school basketball and life skills programs reach 3600 youngsters in 52 schools in 5 communities around the Western Cape
• Recognition in the United Nations Report on the International Year of Sport and Physical Education
• Invited by the NBA Basketball Without Borders to deliver our HIV prevention curriculum to the best 100 basketball U-18 players on the continent
• H4H facilitates HIV prevention workshop for 250 young people from all nine provinces at UNICEF and Ministry of Education Camp
• Hosted World Aids Day Event sports tournament and HIV prevention for 700 youth in collaboration with Ikamva Labantu and the US Consulate in Cape Town
• Facilitated workshop at the NACOSA (Networking Aids Community of South Africa) conference

Programmes

Youth Programs Basketball Leagues, Tournaments and Games

MVPs and All-Stars conduct regular after-school practice and game sessions with teams in schools and communities. Teams practice twice a week and regular games and tournaments bring teams from different schools and neighborhoods together; while at the same time delivering H4H curriculums during every session.

Soccer4Hope

Collaboration with Grassroots Soccer and H4H to deliver our after-school sports and life skills programs to the boys and girls who enjoy this popular sport.

Outreach

The Hoops All Star and MVP coaches visit schools and community teams in places that around the Western Cape and beyond to deliver our unique and powerful basketball and life skills programs.

Training

H4H delivers important basketball, HIV prevention, and conflict mediation trainings to other NGO’s and youth CBO’s. Currently working with chess, tennis and athletic clubs to broaden our reach.

Tools4Playing

H4H provides basketball construction and maintenance, and distributes second-hand uniforms and athletic equipment to deserving groups and schools.

All Star and MVP coaches 2007 Year of the MVP

Creating more opportunities, incentives, resources and support for our most valuable people.

Educational Training

Computer literacy, HIV/Aids certified course, first aid, basketball coaching; refereeing, career guidance, and leadership training.

5 Star Awards

MVP excellence in leadership; community development incentive awards program.

Team Building

Camps, bike rides and races, hikes, and various other trips aim to bring our team together.

Exit Strategies

Partnerships with businesses, schools, and courses to ensure job and educational opportunities for their futures. Cross-cultural and inter-program exchanges provide opportunities to share expertise, exchange ideas, and develop mutual understanding.

More than 25 students from 10 U. S. colleges and universities have worked in Africa as H4H volunteers. Professional and college coaches and players have visited South Africa to conduct clinics and participate in the programs.

All-Stars and MVPs from Zimbabwe and South Africa regularly travel between countries to learn from each other’s H4H programs and people.

Goals and Objectives

The aim of the organization is to empower H4H coaches to become effective advocates for positive change in the lives of young people in their communities who grow up in very challenging environments. The educational role of the All Star and MVP coach is proactive rather than reactive, meaning that they bring respect, fun and sport into the lives of these young people.

Teachers and parents are often in a position of authority, and are thus unable to foster honest discussions or learning. Our All Stars and MVP’s are in a unique position to open a forum that affords the youth a rare opportunity to discuss important life changing and damaging topics. Hoops 4 Hope is much more than simply playing sports. We address the sensitive, but critical aspects of the young peoples’ lives that teachers and adults may not feel comfortable doing. We are helping children make it to the big leagues of life!