THE KNOWLEDGE gained by children during the Sport For Life Programme can later benefit the nation.
That was the view of trustee of the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, Phillipa Challis, during the ninth graduation for the programme at Kensington Oval last Saturday.
“If Sport For Life can give you that edge and add that confidence to your life and open your life to possibility, with the knowledge and improvements you can make a difference in the nation,” she said.
The programme, which began in 2007 before it was officially launched in 2009, incorporates sports and academics to create a well rounded individual.
Challis explained that the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, which has been helping Barbadian children for the past 15 years in the areas of health and education, also saw Sports For Life as an area of interest since it came under the theme of community project.
She said that programmes such as Sport For Life play an immeasurable role in families and schools.
“There is a reason we contribute to this charity . . . . We believe that if we can change the life of one or two children, that is money well spent. That is why we will continue to sponsor you as long as we continue to make a difference.”
Challis encouraged the children to congratulate themselves on their ability to commit to such a programme, and thanked the management team for showing up every week to contribute to the lives of the youth.
Chairperson of the programme, Brenda Pope, said 600 young people had completed the programme over ten years.
She added that it has also expanded, with similar centres in Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, and St Vincent, as well as Pakistan and South Africa.
Dialogue is also ongoing to possibly start programmes in Antigua and Barbuda and Jamaica.
Shamarla Wickham-Sandiford of Springer Memorial School was named Participant Of The Year and Most Outstanding Female, while Josiah Jones was named the Most Outstanding Male Participant. (RG)
