News from the NSF | The Announcer

Siphokuhle Nyoka flying on the double mini trampoline Photo: Jan Blom

UNEXPECTED help to feed hungry athletes from the Nemato Sports Federation (NSF) arrived through the Do Ubuntu Orphan Bracelet Campaign from Los Angeles.

?Two weeks before running out of funds the NSF received good news from the ?Do Ubuntu Orphan Bracelet Campaign?. They accepted us as a partner and they and will now help to feed our athletes!? Jan Blom from the NSF said.

The ?Do Ubuntu Orphan Bracelet Campaign? helps to feed disadvantaged children in South Africa by raising monies through the worldwide sales of bracelets made by HIV positive women. The bracelets can even be bought online.

With this, and other donations from the Port Alfred Soup Kitchen and private donors, Blom said that the feeding program was now finally out of the danger zone.

Surfing

Members of the NSF recently tried surfing. ?It was quite challenging in the big waves and dangerous rip currents but some guys were doing very well and the Kowie surfers are keen to offer more lessons,? Blom said.

Rowing

Competitive rowing starts soon although the national and provincial competition programs are still under discussion. ?Depending on its outcome we plan our Nemato Sculls Head, the first competition of the season, towards the end of June or in July,? Blom said.

This competition has grown into a provincial competition with participants from Port Elizabeth, Grahamstown, East London and Port Alfred.

American Annie Meltzer will over the next month assist with the coaching of rowers and with the many other activities of the NSF.

Team training for the eights and quads started with a long distance row to the Horse Shoe Band with twenty rowers taking part. All, including the under-14?s, completed the 42km challenge. In preparation of the Nemato Sculls Head single sculls training was also given attention according to Blom.

Old sleeves on the blades were finally replaced after a donation from a support group in England. ?The rowing equipment requires constant repairs,? Blom said.

Gymnastics

Full time training have started and gymnasts, who with six training sessions per week are making good progress. ?Hopefully they will soon win medals in competitive events,? Blom said.

Competitions for gymnasts start in July till early October.? The gymnasts, in preparation of the season, are planning a club competition for June, where they will compete against each other.

Netball

?

Netball training Photo: Bongisani Magopheni

The netball club made lots of progress under the guidance of dynamic coaches, Destiny Nelson, and Chuma Nyendwana.

?They have improved so much that we started planning our first friendly matches and we are looking for tournaments. We also want to start a local netball league soon,? Blom said.

Fencing

The Nemato Fencing Club was not active yet but the entire organisation is in place. Two members will be trained as coaches in Cape Town during June. ?We are hopeful to find enough funding to get basic equipment to open the club in July,? Blom said.

The Eastern Cape Fencing Association (ECFA) was formed with NMB Modern Pentathlon from Port Elizabeth and the Nemato Fencing Club the members. The NFC is the only fencing club in the Eastern Cape and NMB have offered to help to train the coaches of NFC.

The National Department of Sport, who attended the meeting, said fencing was one of six sports that the department will support financially at club development level. ?That means we also qualify for financial support by the government,? Blom said.

General

To see more of the NSF simply visit their improved website, or find them on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube.

Rowers having a break in the Horse Shoe Bend Photo: Jan Blom

Visitors are also encouraged to come and experience the youth program in the township where they are very welcome.

Fundraising

As it was not easy to find enough funding to run the sports and empowerment program of the NSF fundraising or donations were also appreciated.

?We need your help to get to competitions! Donate or fund raise for us! Please think of us when you are celebrating a special event.? Please help! You can donate to us online through Greater Good SA or even join on online fundraising forum through BackaBuddy,? Blom said. Online donations to the Federation can also be made at www.myggsa.co.za.

Blom expressed thanks to the generous donation the NSF received from their long term sponsor J?Pak, a South African company supplying packaging machinery, coding and marking systems and quality inspection equipment.

The NSF can be contacted by email on Matinyanafund@gmail.com or by calling Jan Blom on 073 505 9168.

Source: http://www.theannouncer.co.za/?p=1721&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=news-from-the-nsf

dream act doodle god news and observer douglas adams bristol palin bill of rights hud