At a finale event hosted on Thursday, 16 April 2015, 24 learners from the top two performing schools, Gcilima Primary School and Delihlazo Primary School, competed for top honours in the final phase of the challenge.

"We are delighted to confirm that after a very close contest, Gcililma Primary School, was named the winner of the first ever Jockey Let’s Play School Skills challenge, and therefore the fittest school in the Ugu District. It has been wonderful to be part of a programme that has introduced boys and girls to variety of sports disciplines, and ultimately had such a positive impact on the lives of so many youths," explains Amanda Dlamini, Jockey brand ambassador and founder of the Amanda Dlamini Foundation.

The Jockey Let’s Play Schools Skills Challenge is a sustainable programme that was launched by world renowned underwear brand Jockey, former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini, and the SuperSport Let’s Play initiative. A project supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Basic Education, the aim of the programme is to compliment the Physical Education component of the school curriculum and to reinstate a sense of confidence and self-esteem amongst children.

"When we started this challenge, our vision was to improve the lives of underprivileged children through sport development. We have been overwhelmed by the response of the children, and truly impressed by the visible improvement achieved over the weeks. We are ecstatic with the success of this initiative," confirms Natalie Bennie, Jockey marketing associate.

She continues, "During the last two months, learners from the 12 selected schools were taught general ball skills that give them the foundation and ability to participate in a variety of sports activities. Let’s Play also trained two full-time educators per school so that the programme would continue long after the challenge was completed; ensuring longevity of the initiative."

Throughout the duration of the programme, the progress of each child was recorded, and resulted in 24 learners from the two top-scoring schools being selected to participate in the final challenge. The challenge, which was hosted by Gcilima Primary School, consisted of six skills that were made suitable for both boys and girls between the ages of seven and 13-years-old.

Dlamini became a Jockey brand ambassador in 2014. Through the Amanda Dlamini Foundation, which seeks to inspire young girls in underprivileged communities by providing mentorship and coaching clinics in football, Jockey and Dlamini have managed to the touch lives of countless young women. The Let’s Play School Challenge enables to pursue their CSI goals even further. 

"I am extremely excited to be part of this initiative, and am even more excited that it has proved to be so successful. I look forward to introducing this programme to many more schools in the province," says Dlamini.

Let’s Play was developed by SuperSport in 2005 in response to a national need to promote a more active, healthier society. About 20% of South Africa’s children under the age of 12-years-old are overweight. Let’s Play teaches basic movement, co-ordination as well as develop sporting skills, age-specific activities and regular monitoring of physical development in the target schools.

Today, Let’s Play actively engages with hundreds of thousands of children every week across the country and has become one of South Africa’s most visible and successful CSI programmes and most importantly, having made a demonstrable difference to the lives of thousands upon thousands of children. In 2015 the organisation celebrates 10 years of activating the children of South Africa.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the progress of each child. Not only has the programme provided physical and mental growth for the participants, but it has also been a great source of fun to add to their school day," says Vaughn Bishop, SuperSport manager of CSI and enterprises.

"The reality of our society is that children’s lifestyles are increasingly influenced by adult social iniquities: inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking and alcohol and drug abuse. Children have become sedentary and have forgotten — or have not been taught — how to play. The Jockey Let’s Play School Skills Challenge has given them the opportunity to do just that," he says.

Following the success of the inaugural programme, a provincial roll-out of the initiative is currently being finalised.

"Congratulations to all of the learners that participated and especially to Gcilima Primary School for winning," ends Bennie.

For more information, visit the Let's Play website.