12 October 2023
The Connection Between Sport and Mental Well-Being
By Nokuphila School
Johannesburg, South Africa, 12 October 2023 - October 10 is celebrated annually as World Mental Health Day, and is globally significant as a chance to take stock of where we are in terms of our mental health.
As we all become more aware of the importance of our mental well-being, it’s equally critical to learn about the aspects that positively affect our mental state. In a sense, building mental fitness can be considered a sport in itself.
The power of physical activity
It's no secret that regular exercise can significantly impact our physical health, but what often goes unnoticed is its profound influence on mental well-being. Physical activity has been linked to reduced stress, anxiety and depression while boosting self-esteem and overall mood.
According to Mental Health.org in the United Kingdom, being active releases endorphins that enhance the feeling of well-being. This chemical release not only boosts your self-esteem and helps you concentrate, but it aids better sleep too.
Mental fitness is described as a person’s ability to think clearly and make efficient and effective decisions, and mental fitness should be approached holistically, with value being placed on physical activity as a key contributor to your overall well-being.
At the Nokuphila School in Thembisa, their holistic approach to wellness is taken seriously, and one of the ways they've been achieving it is through their fast-growing sports programme.
Nokuphila leaners enjoying a game of soccer
Netball: More than just a game
Netball is more than just a game at the Nokuphila School; it’s a tool that teaches their learners about the power of teamwork and communication.
Netball coach and Head: Sports Organiser, Paul Ntini, says netball gives the learners great insight into collaboration, commenting that, “Netball requires both physical and mental strength, and I’m hugely passionate about it for this reason - it takes great discipline and teamwork to strategise in this technical sport.”
The Nokuphila School offers netball as an extracurricular sport from the age of under 10 and this year, they have been able to join the Ivory Cluster 2. A cluster is a group of schools from the same area that create leagues of different sporting codes in order to compete.
The Under 12 and Under 13 teams experienced a flawless season, not conceding a single match.
Soccer: Goals beyond the field
Soccer, known as the ‘beautiful game’, has brought joy and determination to the students at the school. Beyond physical benefits, it has taught the learners the value of goal setting and more importantly, inclusivity.
This year has been a landmark year for the school, with the recent inclusion of girls soccer teams. Soccer coach, Debra Malinga, has been teaching at the school for the past 8 years, and has headed up the girls soccer coaching in 2023.
Malinga is personally passionate about soccer because she has too often seen girls being denied the opportunity to play the game, on account of it being a ‘boys sport’.
At Nokuphila, they had enough interest from their female learners to form girls teams and enter them into the league. Malinga coaches the Under 11 and Under 13 girls teams, with the school offering this extracurricular from the age of 8 onwards.
Malinga says that soccer or ‘i-diski’ as they affectionately call it, is more than just a sport to their learners. It’s a much loved way to pass the time, with the learners playing informally during break or after school.
Their love for the game has sharpened their skills as the girls often play with the boys and the mixed teams learn a lot from each other. They had an excellent first year in their sports cluster, with the girls coming in 3rd place out of 17 schools in both Under 11 and Under 13 teams.
Volleyball: Serving up confidence
Volleyball has served as a powerful metaphor for life at the school. The sport demands precision, focus, and quick thinking - skills which are instrumental in boosting cognitive abilities. It's not just about hitting the ball over the net; but also about developing mental agility and becoming well-rounded individuals.
Volleyball coach Thokozile Malaza loves the sport, having played when she was at College. The isiZulu teacher takes a lot of joy from coaching the mixed teams.
The two volleyball teams practice weekly, and although there’s not a very large league in which to play, the school has achieved great success in 2023, having won all their matches at a league and friendly level.
Success Stories
A positive side-effect of the Nokuphila School’s sports programme has been the ability to showcase to learners the profound effect of harnessing their talents on the sports field.
Many of the Nokuphila netball girls have qualified for their local super league teams such as Mighty girls, Super Girls, and the Ivory Park stars, while some of the soccer girls have been selected to play for teams like All Nation in Ivory Park.
Two Nokuphila alumni who have achieved massive success are siblings Tswarelo and Lesego Chiloane. Tswarelo was selected for the South African Netball World Cup team earlier this year, while her brother Lesego plays for Mamelodi Sundowns, a Premier Soccer League first tier team.
Striving for gold
The Nokuphila sports programme exists not only as a way to keep the learners fit and healthy, but as a positive extension of their holistic approach to caring for their learners.
Energetic Paul Ntini is the perfect educator to drive the Nokuphila sports programme forward. As an English teacher with Honours in Inclusive Education, he is perfectly poised to understand the learners unique needs, and has spent the past few years developing strong relationships with both the students and his fellow sports co-ordinators.
In 2023, the school formed a special sports committee dedicated to creating the sporting codes that allow them to compete at cluster and district levels. Ntini has great aspirations for the growth of their programme, and hopes to see more of his fellow teachers getting formal training.
Ntini has ambitions to grow their academy and school partnership network, with the ultimate goal of more scholarships being awarded to talented sports stars.
After the final whistle blows
The Nokuphila School seeks to build a holistic child, with the primary goal being to nurture and motivate them to excel in any activity that they enjoy.
As we reflect on World Mental Health Day, let's remember the integral role that physical activity plays in maintaining healthy minds. The Nokuphila School's sports programme is a shining example of how exercise can uplift spirits, instil confidence, and foster resilience. It's a testament to the idea that healthy bodies truly lead to healthy minds.
About The Love Trust
The Love Trust is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through education. We work with change-agents in South Africa and abroad to make a lasting impact on vulnerable communities across the country.
Our focus is on providing quality Christian education and social care to vulnerable learners at our Nokuphila School in Thembisa, Midrand. We also train black South African women to become accredited early childhood development (ECD) teachers.
We support the South African government's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and work with our partners to create a resilient organisation that benefits the communities we serve.
Our future plans include expanding our school to include Grades 8 and 9, as well as developing a curriculum for ECD teachers.
We actively seek collaborative partnerships with organisations that share our vision of delivering quality education to vulnerable communities.
Image credit: Freepik
