Hi Liz
Great post. I was wondering if you had done any research/thinking on the benefits of tennis as (usually) an individual paired sport - as compared to other team sports. I do a running and boxing programme in Germany and Kenya and I am often confronted with claims from other sports how team work builds character etc. I am sure this is true, but equally sure that individual competitive sports bring their own special physical and psychological development opportunities. So how would you describe the specific benefits of tennis to lets say football or volleyball for (disadvantaged) youth? I would love to hear your ideas on this.
Hi Heather, this is a great question! Our experience has been that individual sports brings with it the added value of being able to be part of a team as well. Consider this: we encourage leadership through tennis by emphasising each child's ability to mke a difference on court when they play, but we also organise team tennis, so that they learn to care for each other, train together and support each other as a team. You can train alone in tennis to a level where it is not often possible in other sports. We have seen tennis make a big difference, especially amongst individual disadvantaged youth. Often, when they first join, they will stick together and find it difficult to fit in, but with time, their individual characters, needs and aspirations can clearly be seen in the way that they shape their game. We are then able to provide even more critical individual support that encourages their psychological development. It is an amazing experience
Tennis can certianly be a team sport, just ask anyone who plays on their school's team. Sadili Oval also trains in many team sports, such as football (soccer), basketball, etc. It has also hosted sports clinics, not just for the disadvantaged, but also the disabled - conducting tennis and other training for the wheelchair bound, as well as for the mentally challenged - Special Olympics. Several friends of mine have been to Sadili to bring this perspective to coaching sports and have even trained other Sadili coaches the nuances to continue the work. Bravo to to Sadili for being on the forefront, not only in able-bodied sport, but also for the not so able.
More importantly, Sadili encourages education and the environment along with sport to build character. What Dr. Liz Odera and her team are doing on the edge of Kibera is truly remarkable and inspiring. I look forward to the day I can travel there to see it first hand. Keep up the outstanding work, Liz, and great job spreading the work!
We are very excited about our top team of 3 boys and 3 girls aged between 15 and 17 years, who will be playing the International Tennis Federation (ITF) 18 and Under Junior Circuit, which takes place from 24th November to 13th December in Burundi, Uganda and Kenya. For these young boys and girls, it will be a very important trip, as they will be playing against some of Africa's top juniors, in what is considered the top junior event in East Africa. Being part of a group will provide them with an opportunity to support and encourage each other, they will act as family for each other, as it will not be possible for them to have what is often seen in many developed countries, where parents provide the necessary psychological support. For us, its not about winning as much as the social and skills experience that they get. Wish them well...
Liz Odera
You mention that there is now pressure for you to expand your network to other parts of East Africa. How do you feel about this? Do you think it is possible? How would you make this happen? How do you plan to deal with the lack of support from the National Association? What is your ultimate goal with this program?
Thank you for your response.
Dana Frasz
Changemakers
We have already established a working relationship with the tennis federations of Burundi and Uganda through friends, and now have two tournaments in Arusha Tanzania, and two in Kampala, Uganda, which form pat of the network. We would be very happy to spread the process throughout the region, and have local communities feel some sense of ownership. The style that we use is easy to replicate, and is open to any local community centre with courts that can be made available for use by all. We then jointly fundraise and start on a limited budget (we work in sustainable steps).
The issue of the national association? We never give up: most change requires patience and persistence. Our door remains open for dialogue. Very often, it is just a case of lack of understanding of our goals. WE would welcome ideas on what to do though? A few people have suggested that we seek independent people to negotiate on behalf of our organisation, what do you think?
Our ultimate goal? To spread Tennis Africa throughout the continent, and to use it as a means to promote social cohesion, as well as a step to provide talented children and youth with better hope through a scholarship programme for them to study and train within the region and elsewhere.
I just want to add in about the great work that I know Sadili does. Tennis one would normally think is a sport for the elite - but Sadili brings kids from all walks of life - together to create a health learning environemnt - where children are respected and loved and support each other to build a postive future. Children from war torn countres, massive slums, orphans, - thanks to Sadilli come together and have a chance to create the foundations for a postive future. The centre does all this with nothing - it reaches out to countries in the region to young players - and changes their lives.
Before I got to know Sadili I had no idea how powerful sport can be -in changing the lives of people.
Liz,
The news coming out of Kenya right now is horrifying. I hope you and your members are safe and that calm is restored soon.
Best wishes to you all,
Ziba
My name is Wung Kevin.
24 years old reside cameroonian.
having and intellectual background skill in lawn tennis,with a diplomat of advance and ordianry level.
I have been into this game both theorically,mentally,physically fit for about 12 yrs now.
I was recruited in one of the best school academic centers inafrica called KADJI SPORTS ACADEMY AND OTA. USA.
I SEEK FOR SPONSORSHIP AND JOB IN ANY OF YOUR INSTUTITION WHERE AVAILABLE IF NECESSARY MY CRITERIA WITH SUIT YOUR NEEDS.
HERE ARE MY CONTACTS
MEH WUNG KEVIN
PO BOX (237)1382
ECOTEL COMMUNICATION-GARDENS
LIMBE
CAMEROON
TEL:23776330077 WUNGKEVIN@YAHOO.COM
longlive your organisation and the changemakers indeed
God bless you all.amen
Comments
Hi Liz
Great post. I was wondering if you had done any research/thinking on the benefits of tennis as (usually) an individual paired sport - as compared to other team sports. I do a running and boxing programme in Germany and Kenya and I am often confronted with claims from other sports how team work builds character etc. I am sure this is true, but equally sure that individual competitive sports bring their own special physical and psychological development opportunities. So how would you describe the specific benefits of tennis to lets say football or volleyball for (disadvantaged) youth? I would love to hear your ideas on this.
Heather Cameron
Boxgirls Roadworks
Hi Heather, this is a great question! Our experience has been that individual sports brings with it the added value of being able to be part of a team as well. Consider this: we encourage leadership through tennis by emphasising each child's ability to mke a difference on court when they play, but we also organise team tennis, so that they learn to care for each other, train together and support each other as a team. You can train alone in tennis to a level where it is not often possible in other sports. We have seen tennis make a big difference, especially amongst individual disadvantaged youth. Often, when they first join, they will stick together and find it difficult to fit in, but with time, their individual characters, needs and aspirations can clearly be seen in the way that they shape their game. We are then able to provide even more critical individual support that encourages their psychological development. It is an amazing experience
Tennis can certianly be a team sport, just ask anyone who plays on their school's team. Sadili Oval also trains in many team sports, such as football (soccer), basketball, etc. It has also hosted sports clinics, not just for the disadvantaged, but also the disabled - conducting tennis and other training for the wheelchair bound, as well as for the mentally challenged - Special Olympics. Several friends of mine have been to Sadili to bring this perspective to coaching sports and have even trained other Sadili coaches the nuances to continue the work. Bravo to to Sadili for being on the forefront, not only in able-bodied sport, but also for the not so able.
More importantly, Sadili encourages education and the environment along with sport to build character. What Dr. Liz Odera and her team are doing on the edge of Kibera is truly remarkable and inspiring. I look forward to the day I can travel there to see it first hand. Keep up the outstanding work, Liz, and great job spreading the work!
Peggy Edwards
USA
We are very excited about our top team of 3 boys and 3 girls aged between 15 and 17 years, who will be playing the International Tennis Federation (ITF) 18 and Under Junior Circuit, which takes place from 24th November to 13th December in Burundi, Uganda and Kenya. For these young boys and girls, it will be a very important trip, as they will be playing against some of Africa's top juniors, in what is considered the top junior event in East Africa. Being part of a group will provide them with an opportunity to support and encourage each other, they will act as family for each other, as it will not be possible for them to have what is often seen in many developed countries, where parents provide the necessary psychological support. For us, its not about winning as much as the social and skills experience that they get. Wish them well...
Liz Odera
You mention that there is now pressure for you to expand your network to other parts of East Africa. How do you feel about this? Do you think it is possible? How would you make this happen? How do you plan to deal with the lack of support from the National Association? What is your ultimate goal with this program?
Thank you for your response.
Dana Frasz
Changemakers
We have already established a working relationship with the tennis federations of Burundi and Uganda through friends, and now have two tournaments in Arusha Tanzania, and two in Kampala, Uganda, which form pat of the network. We would be very happy to spread the process throughout the region, and have local communities feel some sense of ownership. The style that we use is easy to replicate, and is open to any local community centre with courts that can be made available for use by all. We then jointly fundraise and start on a limited budget (we work in sustainable steps).
The issue of the national association? We never give up: most change requires patience and persistence. Our door remains open for dialogue. Very often, it is just a case of lack of understanding of our goals. WE would welcome ideas on what to do though? A few people have suggested that we seek independent people to negotiate on behalf of our organisation, what do you think?
Our ultimate goal? To spread Tennis Africa throughout the continent, and to use it as a means to promote social cohesion, as well as a step to provide talented children and youth with better hope through a scholarship programme for them to study and train within the region and elsewhere.
I just want to add in about the great work that I know Sadili does. Tennis one would normally think is a sport for the elite - but Sadili brings kids from all walks of life - together to create a health learning environemnt - where children are respected and loved and support each other to build a postive future. Children from war torn countres, massive slums, orphans, - thanks to Sadilli come together and have a chance to create the foundations for a postive future. The centre does all this with nothing - it reaches out to countries in the region to young players - and changes their lives.
Before I got to know Sadili I had no idea how powerful sport can be -in changing the lives of people.
Liz,
The news coming out of Kenya right now is horrifying. I hope you and your members are safe and that calm is restored soon.
Best wishes to you all,
Ziba
My name is Wung Kevin.
24 years old reside cameroonian.
having and intellectual background skill in lawn tennis,with a diplomat of advance and ordianry level.
I have been into this game both theorically,mentally,physically fit for about 12 yrs now.
I was recruited in one of the best school academic centers inafrica called KADJI SPORTS ACADEMY AND OTA. USA.
I SEEK FOR SPONSORSHIP AND JOB IN ANY OF YOUR INSTUTITION WHERE AVAILABLE IF NECESSARY MY CRITERIA WITH SUIT YOUR NEEDS.
HERE ARE MY CONTACTS
MEH WUNG KEVIN
PO BOX (237)1382
ECOTEL COMMUNICATION-GARDENS
LIMBE
CAMEROON
TEL:23776330077
WUNGKEVIN@YAHOO.COM
longlive your organisation and the changemakers indeed
God bless you all.amen
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