The Cubs Learning Academy
The Cubs Learning Academy provides educational and sporting opportunities to young children in the Mdantsane community (specifically primary schools in NU1).
We strive to not only build confidence and physical ability, but also to impart positive values and important life lessons. Cubs players have access to a first-class facility that provides meals, academic support, sport coaching, recreational activities, and sporting fixtures throughout the year. We see Cubs players developing the passion, skills, knowledge, and motivation to become successful adults.
The Cubs Academy’s primary goal is to provide a hub of excellence to children who could never afford the experience. The Cub’s programme is designed to ensure that the challenges these children face, are addressed early on in their lives; while providing opportunities and a safe space for children to learn, play and grow.
Academic Support
Sports Coaching
Nutrition
Character Development
The Program
Cubs is a structured after-school programme for primary school children in the Mdantsane community. The programme offers sport (primarily rugby and netball), academic support (English, Maths and subject tutoring), recreational activities and a daily meal. EduSport also supports nine primary schools in Mdantsane with a schools-based intervention (Coach in a Box), providing sport coaching and literacy skills, and recently launched a literacy centre at one of the schools.
Problems the project is trying to solve
Mdantsane is an under-resourced community on the outskirts of East London where substance abuse, crime and gangsterism are rife. Primary schools in Mdantsane have neither the staff, facilities, nor resources to offer sport or other extra-mural activities, leaving children unattended after school and vulnerable to gangs, abuse and anti-social behaviour. From Grade 4, learners are taught in their second language meaning many children fall behind in all subjects from an early age. Cubs Learning Academy uses sport to achieve crucial outcomes such as education, health, empowerment, protection and resilience. Cubs introduces numeracy and literacy programmes from a foundation-phase level as a critical early intervention. Cubs Academy also provides recreational activities, exposing children to new opportunities outside their realm of experience.