Grassroots Sports Development is a dedicated programme at the Hollywood Foundation, and the Team is constantly looking for development clubs to assist and support across the country. In March, the Team in Mpumalanga was humbled to assist a local sports club through a soccer sponsorship and give the players the best possible chance of succeeding in their sporting careers.
Mmadi’s Academy was established in 2017, and the club is comprised of eight divisions. The club consists of dedicated coaches and trainers, who have also implemented junior structures to ensure that young athletes are given the necessary training and mentoring to soar to greater heights. There are currently 120 players at the club, who engage in stimulating practice sessions from Monday to Friday. The primary reason for the creation of this club was to ensure that the youth keep fit and active, as opposed to living a harsh, cold life on the streets. D. Modise, a Representative from Mmadi’s Academy, opened up about the many challenges that the club has faced, such as receiving donations from his colleagues who are now unemployed. The club has produced phenomenal players, and five of them have had the opportunity to move up to other leagues. The Purple Team has a key focus on sport, and through various programmes and handovers, the Team are proud to make a difference at clubs across many sporting codes, such as soccer, netball, cricket and rugby. The Team from Secunda identified Mmadi’s Academy as a sports club that required assistance, and on 23 March 2023, the Team paid a special visit to them to hand over their share of new kits. This formed part of a soccer sponsorship and has the aim of instilling values such as pride and unity amongst the players when they compete in matches.
D. Modise thanked the Hollywood Foundation for choosing to assist the club, and said that contribution will greatly help as the club lacked the necessary kit and gear for the players to wear.
