Supporting Excellence in Life is creating a level playing field through sport

In the heart of the Helderberg and Cape Winelands regions, a community sports programme is not only shaping athletes but transforming lives. Excellence in Life, spearheaded by James Albanie and supported by the Spirit Foundation and Lord’s Taverners South Africa (LTSA), is a grassroots initiative with an eye on maintaining dignity, development, and creating opportunities for level playing fields.

James Albanie, who has over 40 years of experience in community sport, has used his deep roots in local rugby and cricket structures to extend opportunities to young people, especially in disadvantaged communities.

“Because I’ve been part of coaching and sports clubs in the Helderberg, it made sense to start the programme here,” Albanie shares. But what began as local coaching has become a multi-sport, life-skills-focused support system.

At the core of Excellence in Life is a belief in dignity and equity. This ethos is embodied in the Veterans Cricket Project, which Albanie co-founded with former Protea Omar Henry. Players from the old non-racial cricket boards formed the Boland Veterans League and later represented South Africa at the Over-50s World Cup. “The generosity of the veterans is something special,” says Albanie. “They sponsor gear, share resources, and ensure every team, whether from Robertson or Overberg, plays on the same level field.

“That generosity extends well beyond cricket. With the help of partners like the Spirit Foundation and LTSA through Steve Palframan, donating cricket equipment has reached children and clubs as far afield as Clanwilliam, Overberg, and Port Elizabeth. Steve has been instrumental in the redistribution of gear, often ensuring that a child with promise is never held back by a lack of resources.”

The Excellence in Life network now spans multiple sport codes, including WP Softball, Central Hockey, Baseball (in collaboration with Pirates Baseball), and youth soccer through 365 Soccer and Excelsior FC in Strand. In each code, the programme offers coaching as well as study support, a light meal, and, most importantly, a sense of belonging.

“We run U11 and U13 cricket teams through Strand Junior Cricket, which is part of Strand Senior Cricket Club,” Albanie noted. “These young players often travel to matches against schools like Durbanville Curro or Kuils River, with the programme covering transport and meals. We’ve also been coaching at Loreto Primary School [in Strand], where our goal is to grow the club despite the ongoing struggle with resources.”

The bigger vision is bold and inclusive. With Omar Henry’s support, Albanie hopes to launch a Helderberg regional schools competition, bringing children from the communities into a structured, geopolitical competition stream. This will start in Metro East and hopefully lead to Cape Winelands representation.

“It’s about linking young people to broader opportunities in life,” Albanie said.

That sense of connection is perhaps the most potent part of the programme, whether it is introducing baseball to a curious young girl in the Strand or guiding a teen through his first homework assignment before training.

“It’s about life skills, study support, and giving kids something to dream about,” says Albanie.

The support from the Spirit Foundation and Lord’s Taverners South Africa has been critical. Donations towards running costs, equipment from Wynberg Boys, or sanitary towels supplied are not just material contributions, they are, as Albanie puts it, “a Godsend.”

“Through every donated bat, every shared field, and every meal after practice, we’re building something that lasts,” Albanie says. “It’s about investing in lives—one child, one match, one opportunity at a time.”