The fifth stop in the WPA Street Athletics series sees WPA, hosted by the Mitchells Plain Titans, going to the Mitchells Plain community in Glider Street on Wednesday, 27 September 2017.
The first four events in the series (Eerste River on the 26th July, Nantes on the 2nd August, Top Form on the 16th August and Bottelary on the 23rd August 2017) had some of WPA’s top track & field, cross country and road running athletes braving cold and wet weather conditions, assisting in identifying undiscovered talent within Western Cape communities.
After a month long break from the series, WPA Head of Development Michael Schouw was jubilant ahead of the fifth leg, “This is a good appetiser to the track & field season which starts soon, our youngsters need to realise that athletics can be a great career choice and that we as WPA are there to support them. “
WPA Street Athletics, which is supported by the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, is a series of community-focused events, where all youngsters are invited to participate and compete against each other, over short and medium distances.
General Manager of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC Carol Vosloo commented, “We are proud to partner with Western Province Athletics and support the WPA Street Athletics series. Athletics development at grassroots level is a vital component of the long-term sustainability of the sport.”
The ultimate aim of the programme is that all children, from all areas, feel welcome to actively participate as the events take athletics to communities and the people. The programme provides the opportunity to broaden their existing prospects within sport and other non-sports related areas.
“While exposing these youngsters to friendly competition identifies the stars of tomorrow, the Street Athletics series also plays an important role in developing sportsmanship, team spirit and the soft skills that will stand them in good stead in the future” added Vosloo.
Events are split into four age group categories (U17’s, U15’s, U13’s & U10’s) for boys and girls. The events will be hosted in the afternoon, for 2 hours, after school, to provide and enhance opportunities for communities to participate in athletic activities.
The plan is to initiate the process of identifying talent within communities in the hope that WPA supports, encourages, develops and optimises the talent within the Western Province.
“As the custodians of athletics in the region, we are going to all communities, because athletics is for everyone and it is alive. WPA together with The Titans seeks to identify even more talented athletes which may be residing in Mitchells Plain. With the hype about athletics still high since the World Championships, the Mitchells Plain community is expected to produce a big turnout” added Schouw.
WPA supported by The Two Oceans Marathon NPC will be hosting its Street Athletics at the following venues and dates.
Club Name | Proposed Date | Area |
Eerste River | 26-Jul | Eerste River |
Nantes | 2-Aug | Athlone |
Top Form | 16-Aug | Athlone |
Bottelary | 23-Aug | Wesbank |
Mitchells Plain Titans | 27-Sep | Mitchells Plain |
Hout Bay | TBC | Imizamo Yethu |
Velocity Athletic Club | 25-Oct | Atlantis |
For more information please contact Development Officer, Kurt Cameron on development@wpathletics.co.za or 021 418 3232