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Reaching out through Cross-Country

Reaching out through Cross-Country

Reaching out through Cross-Country

Reaching out through Cross-Country

Twelve events almost nationwide, arranged within two weeks. The brief – take the sport to the people and what better way than looking at cross-country, as it is really the foundation of athletics.

Athletics SA put on 12 events in all provinces except in the Western Cape, KZN and Gauteng as “these provinces have good structures in place already,” according to ASA Board Member, Hendrik Ramaala. “We looked at those provinces who do not have those structures in place and awarded the Provinces R50 000 per event to distribute to a club (or clubs) of their choice, with the proviso that these clubs put on a cross country event and target youngsters, specifically school going kids and were clubs that needed assistance in developing themselves.”The 12 events were put on over a period of two weeks (19 and 26 March) and were organized within two weeks. ASA Board member Hendrik Ramaala not only attended and helped organize two of these events, but also roped in athlete Ruben Ramolefi to assist in organizing an event.

“Over the 12 events we had between 300 and 400 kids attending each race. We bussed them to the venues, provided them with refreshments and snacks and made sure the clubs who were identified by the provinces to host the races were doing these races correctly. We had marshals, officials, timekeepers and a full LOC for every race. We not only need to find the youngsters and keep them in the sport, but we also need to make sure that the youngsters have events to compete in. That is why we had a two-pronged attack. We helped the clubs organize the events, and made sure the kids could get to the races. And let me tell you, there is some good raw talent out there. Cross Country is how we get them into the sport. We just need a field and let them run. It was fantastic to see.” Ramaala’s eye’s literally light up when he speaks about the events and talent he saw.

“The cross country is also the start for the sport to grow the middle and long distance events in South Africa. That is where I started and it gave me the right base for my future. All the top international middle and long distance athletes either came from a cross-country background or used it extensively as part of their training. And it is fun.”

Athletics South Africa is currently going through the reports submitted by the host clubs and provinces and will then decide how to do the same again in 2012. “Only now we want to go bigger next year. The R600 000 money we were allocated in 2011 from the department of Sports and Recreation helped us tremendously. Next year we have to go bigger.”

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