Reversing the trend: volunteering in Norway
- 18 February 2010 |
- Chris Middleton
Ntso Mkhwanazi, leading a rugby training session in Bergen, Norway.
Spreading the South African passion for rugby in Norway
SCORE in partnership with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) and Fredskorpset (FK), make it possible for Norwegian youth to volunteer in South Africa. However, this programme also encourages Southern African sports leaders to volunteer in Norway.
Ntso Mkhwanazi is one among six SCORE volunteers who took part in this programme over the last six months. The young South African coach was invited to share his passion for rugby in the city of Bergen, Norway.
"They accepted me for who I am"
During his stay 6-month stay in Bergen, he could fully live his passion - he taught rugby in schools in the afternoon, and then headed to the stadium to coach the local senior rugby team.
His team eventually won the national title:
"Although rugby is not as important in Norway as it is in South Africa, I’m really proud we could make it and come up with the championship".
Adapting to Norway was a smooth process according to Ntso:
"The host family, the children at school and the team I was coaching accepted me for who I am, and this made it easy for me to adapt. We all shared a common interest for rugby. I also think it’s important to be flexible and open to new cultures".
Changing the image of rugby back home
The exchange programme also requires that volunteers who get this opportunity share their skills and experiences when they return. Therefore, Ntso is expected to coach rugby and share some of his life skills training knowledge with the youth in some of SCORE’s target communities.
Ntso believes he made the most of a fantastic experience abroad, but is very happy to be back in his hometown, Durban. When asked about his future plans, Ntso, with a determined look, answers:
"I want to become a professional rugby coach. I’m already involved in coaching with the Durban Sharks, and I’m also studying so I can become a professional coach".
He believes his aspiration to become a rugby coach is part of a bigger picture: increasing the participation of black South Africans in rugby, historically labelled as a sport for white people.
"During my stay in Norway, and working in Durban, I realise that interest for rugby can be triggered in all children. I also think having more black coaches is part of the process of modifying the image of rugby in South Africa as being a sport for white people".
SCORE in partnership with the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) and Fredskorpset (FK), make it possible for Norwegian youth to volunteer in South Africa. However, this programme also encourages Southern African sports leaders to volunteer in Norway.
Ntso Mkhwanazi is one among six SCORE volunteers who took part in this programme over the last six months. The young South African coach was invited to share his passion for rugby in the city of Bergen, Norway.
"They accepted me for who I am"
During his stay 6-month stay in Bergen, he could fully live his passion - he taught rugby in schools in the afternoon, and then headed to the stadium to coach the local senior rugby team.
His team eventually won the national title:
"Although rugby is not as important in Norway as it is in South Africa, I’m really proud we could make it and come up with the championship".
Adapting to Norway was a smooth process according to Ntso:
"The host family, the children at school and the team I was coaching accepted me for who I am, and this made it easy for me to adapt. We all shared a common interest for rugby. I also think it’s important to be flexible and open to new cultures".
Changing the image of rugby back home
The exchange programme also requires that volunteers who get this opportunity share their skills and experiences when they return. Therefore, Ntso is expected to coach rugby and share some of his life skills training knowledge with the youth in some of SCORE’s target communities.
Ntso believes he made the most of a fantastic experience abroad, but is very happy to be back in his hometown, Durban. When asked about his future plans, Ntso, with a determined look, answers:
"I want to become a professional rugby coach. I’m already involved in coaching with the Durban Sharks, and I’m also studying so I can become a professional coach".
He believes his aspiration to become a rugby coach is part of a bigger picture: increasing the participation of black South Africans in rugby, historically labelled as a sport for white people.
"During my stay in Norway, and working in Durban, I realise that interest for rugby can be triggered in all children. I also think having more black coaches is part of the process of modifying the image of rugby in South Africa as being a sport for white people".
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belkhir
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February 22, 2010 - 18:40
je suis titulaire d'un diplome en education physique et sportive ,je voulais plus d'information , respectrs
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