Brad Bing is
part of a sports mad family who are passionate South African supporters. But,
this Capetonian doesn’t just talk about promoting sport among all South
Africans; he is doing something about it.
In the 1980s,
Brad played and coached for Western Province Cricket, during which time he was
introduced to life in the townships and he became politically aware.
In 1990, he
chose to pursue his personal passion and launched Sporting Chance, to show
young people the value of being physically active and get them involved in
sporting activities.
Sporting
Chance’s initiatives are funded by sponsorships from Corporates and private
donors.
Brad is
currently working on his popular Calypso Cricket project, which is in its 17th
year. This year, it will be launched for the first on Addington
Beach in Durban. He is also very excited about "Spin
Idols" – the search for South
Africa’s next spin bowling sensation, and
the Khulani Beach Soccer project, which is based on Calypso.
Exciting
times lie ahead for Sporting Chance, which entered its 18th year in
September, and since its inception has reached out to approximately 110 000
youngsters.
gsport spoke
to Sporting Chance CEO, Brad Bing, about this inspiring initiative which aims
to promote sport among South
Africa’s youth.
Where does your love for sport come from?
I was born
into a family with a great sporting pedigree and as one of four brothers, sport
and an active lifestyle was inevitable. As a youngster I was always active and
tried my hand at any sport possible. With my father involved in Western Province
and South African cricket administration, cricket soon became my passion and I
have pursued that ever since.
What inspired you to launch Sporting Chance and when
was it launched?
I played and coached for Western Province Cricket in
the 1980’s; during this time I was introduced to life in the townships and
became very politically aware. I had ideas of where society should and could be
going and wanted to address the shortfalls of sports development in South Africa.
Between 1985 and 1994 I travelled internationally
playing and coaching cricket in England
and Europe and gaining valuable experience. In
1990 I left Western Province Cricket and started Sporting Chance, to pursue my
personal passion and objectives for sport in South Africa.
What have been some of the highlights of working with
children over the years?
I enjoy
working with children and most importantly I am motivated offering children the
opportunity to become something better than what they currently are! Showing a
young person the value of being physically active and getting them involved in
some kind of sporting activity is what I really enjoy. It’s from here, that one
can identify those that want to make something special out of their lives.
Seeing children have fun and develop whilst playing sport is my ultimate
highlight, because I believe strongly that sport teaches what life is all about
– ethics, values and principles.
Children, regardless
of gender or social class, should have the best possible grunding to lead an
active lifestyle and research has shown that the earlier a child is engaged to
physical activity and sport, the better chance they have of adopting this through
to their later years.
One of my major
highlights has also been to identify children with potential at a young age and
to see them go on to receive higher honours and reach their potential. I
remember Thami Tsolekile, the WP and Cobras wicket keeper, attend the Calypso Beach cricket festivals as 9 year old
and it has given me great pleasure to watch his progress over the years.
So too
Herschelle Gibbs when he attended the coaching clinics at a young age. What
awesome talent he already had then! We have worked with approx. 110 000
children these past seventeen years and every kid who participates has been an
inspiration!
How have the public responded to the work done by
Sporting Chance?
Sporting
Chance has been very well received by the public. In September 2007 Sporting
Chance entered its 18th year and this is testament to the public’s
support over the years. All our projects
have received tremendous support and that has contributed to their constant
growth.
Who funds your various initiatives?
Our projects
are funded by sponsorships from corporate or private donors.
The Calypso Cricket Program has become quite popular.
What are your plans for this season?
Calypso
Cricket is in its 17th year and for the first time we will launch on
Addington beach in Durban,
Kwa Zulu Natal. Calypso Cricket has now extended right up the South African
coast and will take the form of a three week long ‘road show’ starting in late
November and will involve 8000 participants.
What opportunities are there for prospective sponsors?
Sporting
Chance is always looking for sponsors and we have numerous projects still
seeking sponsorship.
Our Khulani
Beach Soccer project is based on the success of Calypso. Except it focuses on soccer
and with 2010 fast approaching this project, now into its fourth year, has the potential
to take the ‘beautiful game’ to the masses.
Spin Idols is
another initiative where we are looking for investment. This project aims to
identify South Africa’s
next spin bowling sensation.
Our projects
offer sponsors excellent exposure through association with a credible company
with an experienced track record in our field and who have excellent media
support.
How can volunteers get involved with Sporting Chance?
It would be
wonderful to have volunteers get involved in our projects. Our Sporting Chance
contact details are as follows:
Tel: 021 683
7299
Fax: 021 683
2323
E-mail: [email protected]
Postal
address:
Unit 5, Sports Science
Institute Building
Boundary Road
Newlands
7700
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