KNYSNA NEWS - The long-awaited swimming school promised by Knysna Sport Academy (KSA) is on the brink of being launched according to manager Iain Coetzee. The programme, aimed at teaching underprivileged kids about water safety and how to swim correctly, will open this weekend, he said.
The academy was established more than 25 years ago and has grown to be the backbone of various programmes granting opportunities to countless talented youngsters all over Greater Knysna. KSA has been instrumental in unearthing these talents, and its products have often gone on to achieve greater things in life or left with the exposure of a sport they never thought would ultimately materialise.
From strength to strength
Originally named Knysna Sport School, it was established by Keith Cretchley as a place where youngsters could learn about and practise different sports. Over the years it attracted hundreds from Hornlee who participated in cricket, hockey, soccer, squash and girls' netball. As it grew, by 2008 the Knysna Development Trust was established to raise funds to assist in the coaching of various sporting disciplines for underprivileged kids.
In 2018 Cretchley sold the facility to Knysna Primary School as custodians, to run a development programme that benefits up to 1 800 children from all areas in Knysna and surrounds.
Offering something different
Coetzee says the academy wanted to offer kids something different – sports they won't necessarily be exposed to – and with this in mind, they now offer the following sports and other activities with dedicated coaches:
• Cricket: coachy Iain Coetzee, who is also the SWD u11 coach and chair of the KPSSS Cricket Schools body.
• Cycling: coach Paulos Sigonyela, who is described as a passionate sports fan devoted to teaching youngsters the sport of cycling and mountain biking. This is the fastest growing sporting code under KSA and no schools in the Knysna area offer such a programme.
• Golf: coach Stephen Harker is a level 1 PGA-accredited coach and is also a product of KSA. He offers the golf development programme and reaches schools in Rheenendal, Karatara and other outlying areas. A senior course is also offered free of charge.
• The game of lawn bowls is set to start within the next few weeks, and soon the swimming school which will teach underprivileged kids about water safety and how to swim.
• Kids in traffic is a relatively new programme, in collaboration with Rotary, which teaches children about pedestrian and cyclist safety on the roads.
Creating opportunities
“Our main focus on the kids is to create opportunities in a healthy and fun environment. About 80% of these kids come from backgrounds where they don't have resources or exposure to many of these sports. We create an enabling environment, where they can express themselves through sport, and we are incredibly passionate about what we do,” says Coetzee.
A highlight at the Oyster Festival, he says, was the performances of a number of their athletes, with some obtaining podium finishes in different distances, in the Momentum Big 5 lite challenge and in the MTB series.
“We've produced some incredible talent who are really performing at the top of their game, and most importantly, they are enjoying it and improving.”
KSA is situated at Marlin Road (off George Rex Drive) and has adequate facilities for the sporting codes they offer.
“There will always be challenges, but we are grateful to our sponsors, and the community support, which really means a lot and takes us toward further success at every turn,” Coetzee says, adding, "We are a family here, and passionate about developing youngsters. Every child that enters our academy, becomes a member of our family.”
Find out more
Contact Iain Coetzee at 063 777 4893 or 044 384 0759, or email: secretary@knysnasportschool.co.za.
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
