The community of Ida’s Valley is home to a state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports court following the launch of the R450 000 facility at the end of last month (Saturday 27 August).
Now locals have a chance to view of the “Court of Dreams” with a open day at the Ida’s Valley Sports Ground today (Thursday 15 September) at 15:00. The facility was founded by VirtualStaX, an organisation focused on empowering talented people around the world, in collaboration with Stellenbosch Academy of Sports (SAS), the Brees Dream Foundation and Ida’s Valley Sports Counci.
Rigter Markgraaf, a director of VirtualStax, said they chose Ida’s Valley as a focus area to help youths from the community rise above their circumstances through their talents.
“The court is one of six multi-purpose courts which will be built to inspire children to dream. We felt that the courts in Ida’s Valley were the perfect location being situated in between [three] schools in what can be seen by some as an underprivileged community.”
The launch was packed with interactive skills exchange sessions facilitated by two professional basketball stars from the USA, Wendell Carter Jr of the Orlando Magics and Olivia Nelson-Ododa of the Los Angeles Sparks.
The “inclusive” multi-purpose facility can accommodate basketball, netball, tennis players and fans in one space, and will help young stars from the community rise. “The Court of Dreams will give youths the opportunity to discover their passion, while using the facility to strive towards achieving their dreams.”
Rob Benade SAS CEO, thanked those involved foir making the facility a reality. He said it will be open to people of all ages, races, genders and backgrounds, to come together and explore a host of sporting codes to pursue in future.
. Today’s open day is open to people of all ages from the community. Fun activities are planned for young and old from 15:00.
