AFL South Africa – North West enters into a partnership with Department of Correctional Services

By Phindile Khambule

04 August 2007

On Friday the 3rd August 2007 AFL South Africa – North West has signed a partnership agreement with Department of Correctional Services (Klerksdorp – Christiana – Wolmaranstad – Potchefstroom).

The partnership came after numerous meetings between the two parties whereby presentations were made and a deal to establish footy in the Correctional Centers in the Klerksdorp management area was reached. In the four correctional centers AFL South Africa – North West will identify officials and inmates to give them training in coaching and umpiring to enable them to run footy activities on their own.

We target to train 20 coaches, 20 umpires and 200 players by the end of 2007 and we will create competitions opportunities for inmates to play with community footy clubs. In that way we will be contributing into the rehabilitation process of the inmates and providing them with an opportunity to socialize with community people so the day they come out they will be accepted by the community” said July Machethe – North West Provincial Development Manager”

“The Department of Correctional Services have the rehabilitation program which have been supported by the national document called The white paper to attract stakeholders like AFL South Africa to assist with the rehabilitation process of the inmates through sport – I say Footy is what we need and it came at the right time given is a new sport in the country” Said Komotere Jacob Monaisa – P.R.O for Klerksdorp Management Area.

“AFL South Africa – North West will make sure that this program is implemented and that it brings positive change into South Africa’s nation building, our country need change” added July.