Dear readers,

A warm welcome to the third edition of Sporting Spirit and thank you all for your fabulous comments and feedback, all of which is greatly appreciated and will be incorporated in future editions.

A question to kick us off: What do Lewis Hamilton, Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Mike Tyson and Mohamed Ali all have in common? Answer: all are global sporting legends who come from tough backgrounds. Closer to home, South Africa is replete with our own sporting heroes who have reached the top of their sport despite humble beginnings; think no further than Makaya Ntini and Siya Kolisi. Significantly, these stars have also made it their business to give back to society, to help develop their respective sporting codes and to reconnect with the communities from which they come. Sport is a powerful enabler.

In supporting sporting development, the mission of the Spirit Foundation is not to create global superstars (if this happens, we won’t complain!), but to provide young people with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds with the opportunity to reach their sporting potential, to develop as individuals and team members and to help uplift their respective communities.

In supporting Masi Warwick Pumas’ rugby team, we are proud to contribute to an exceptional club that is not only passionate about playing our national sport, but one that goes beyond rugby to draw from and feed back into local communities. It is quite remarkable to see how this team comprised of players from hugely diverse backgrounds play like ‘men possessed’ and united by a desire to demonstrate that there is strength in unity.

For the uninitiated, golf is a game that spoils a good walk! But for those who play, it is an addictive sport, though one that is unaffordable for many. This is one of the reasons we have been supporting golf caddies for many years through the brilliant iCaddies programme. iCaddies lives by the mantra of uplifting the SA caddie industry, through training, regularising and raising standards, which in turn, enhances the value of a caddie, thus making them a more valued element in the game.

Working with David Ralph, Spirit launched Lord’s Taverners South Africa and since that time it has been rewarding and humbling to see the sheer joy our table cricket has brought to hundreds of youngsters with disabilities. I would encourage our readers to have a look at the LTSA website to see the results.

We have been the longest and most comprehensive supporters of bowls in South Africa, and you can read another episode from Bill Kilbride in this edition.

At the other end of the speed and age spectrum, Racing Spirit provides opportunities for up-and-coming racing drivers to hone their skills in a professional and supportive environment. The team’s results to date have been truly spectacular and I’m sure there’s a young Lewis Hamilton among them.

In every sporting code, there’s a winner and this time I must congratulate our newly established Spirit International Football Academy (SIFA). The entire academy has really taken shape with the appointment of excellent coaching staff, while ensuring that the young players’ academic needs are fully supported. The boys have clinched some spectacular victories in recent matches, culminating in being crowned champions in a recent schools’ tournament. Go SIFA!

But to close this letter on a poignant note, recently I was privileged to watch the final premiership match to be played at a 133-year-old stadium that hosted more topflight football matches than any other. Its records are legend, from being the first purpose-built football stadium in the world and hosting a soccer world cup semifinal. Oh, and I was watching the team that has played more seasons in the topflight than any other.

It was a memorable day saying goodbye to Goodison Park, the ‘Grand Old Lady’, but it was also a reminder of what makes soccer and sport so important in our lives – the people.

Sadly, this Sporting Spirit is dedicated to the life and amazing achievements of my friend, Brad Bing, whom I have known for some 30 years and who passed away in May. The Spirit Foundation partnered with Brad’s Sporting Chance to bring joy to many young people participating in the LTSA events. His legacy will live on.

Until next quarter, keep the sporting passion!