SuperSport Let's Play and Premier Skills provide education and sports training to uplift communities.
Sports have long been a powerful tool for social change, and through strategic partnerships, they can make a lasting impact on young people and their communities. MultiChoice, in collaboration with Premier Skills, is championing youth development by leveraging the power of football to equip young people with essential life skills, coaching expertise, and leadership training. This initiative is transforming communities by creating opportunities for young people to thrive both on and off the field, promoting education and encouraging leadership among youth.
Established in October 2023, the Premier Skills and Let's Play partnership was designed to assist teachers in preparing safe and structured physical education (PE) classes, especially in rural areas. The initiative also prepares teachers to actively take up the role of custodians for the newly constructed Let's Play Centres of Sporting Excellence (LPCOSE).
To date, Premier Skills training has been rolled out across five Let's Play Centres of Sporting Excellence (LPCOSE):
- Tsholomnqa High (Eastern Cape)
- Nomfihlela Primary (KwaZulu-Natal)
- Butterworth High (Eastern Cape)
- Boikhutso Primary (Mpumalanga)
- Tshithuthuni Primary (Limpopo)
Over 280 teachers across 25 districts in and around these centres have received training. These trained teachers have established themselves as a Local Organising Committee (LOC), responsible for organising large-scale community sports events such as the Let's Play Fun Run and the Let's Play Modified Hockey Heritage Day Festival.
Both events have attracted over 6,000 participants, highlighting the broad community engagement fostered by the initiative.
Building skills
The latest Premier Skills training course took place at Motswela Secondary (Kroonstad) from 10–14 February, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education. Sixty life skills teachers participated in a five-day course, endorsed by the South African Council of Educators, equipping them with the tools to create safe, structured, and inclusive sporting environments.
By providing a structured and supportive environment, Let's Play and Premier Skills are addressing critical social issues. The programme places a strong emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring that both boys and girls have equal access to training and mentorship. This is particularly important in communities where opportunities for young women in sports are limited.
From the field to the future
The impact of this collaboration extends far beyond the pitch. Many participants have gone on to become certified coaches, mentors, and community leaders, with trained coaches bringing structured and effective training methods to grassroots football programmes.
In addition, the initiative incorporates educational workshops focusing on topics such as health, teamwork, and discipline. These lessons help young people develop a strong sense of responsibility, resilience, and self-confidence—qualities that are essential for success in any field.
To find out more, visit multichoice.com and supersport.com
