Standing Up for Hope: Sports, Talent, and the Future of Our Youth
By George C April
Founder – West Coast Sports Solutions (NPC)
In September and October 2025, the small town of Velddrif will come alive with a series of events that aim to do more than entertainment.
We aim to uplift, unite, and fund future dreams. From rugby and soccer tournaments to a vibrant West Coast Talent Showcase, this project is about building hope through sport and creativity.
The upcoming events will help raise funds for Velddrif High School and a young local artist, Bryan-Jade Rhodes, who also hails from the town. But this is more than just fundraising, it’s an open invitation to every aspiring dancer, singer, model, and performer from across the West Coast District.
This is their moment to step up and shine on the big stage.
The 7s Rugby Day Returns – With a Dream
In September, WCSS, alongside Young Dynasty and Piketberg Youth Sports Development, we will host a U/16 and U/19 rugby 7s day, where local teams will battle it out. And from those games, players will be selected to represent the West Coast at the prestigious Western Cape Schools Sports Day the following weekend in Cape Town.
This is the second year that WCSS has been officially invited to this high-level event. Last year, we couldn’t afford to send a single team. (Non of the two big companies in Hopefield was willing to sponsor the R4000 for the kids outfits.)
In 2023, thanks to support from Malcolm May and Kropz, WCSS received 60 tickets to the U/20 Rugby World Cup matches at Athlone Stadium. We took children from Hopefield and Velddrif, and thanks to Hopefield Spar, there was food and drinks to keep them going.
But that’s not always the case.
Left Behind by Our Own
Last year, not a single company in Hopefield came forward to assist us.
That’s the reality.
And maybe people don’t want these things said, but it’s the youth who suffer when those in power take things personally or ignore those trying to help.
This year, Amoya donated R300,000 to the Saldanha Bay Rugby Club, a great gesture. But not one child from Hopefield benefits from that donation.
Last year they refuses to pay for the sports outfits – but they sponsor the local sports clubs.
And my question is – Why not our children?
I founded WCSS to help the youth through sport.
I do this not for gain, but because I know what it’s like to struggle. I left school at 14 to help my grandparents survive. They had no education, they had nothing easy. But I worked, and I made it.
Today, children still drop out of school at 14, but instead of working or dreaming, they fall into drugs and alcohol.
And nobody wants to admit it.
Even parents fail their own children, and that’s the most heartbreaking part of it all.
A Town in Crisis
I’ve seen how Hopefield’s youth wander the streets, without dreams or direction. There is no structure, no discipline, no opportunity, and worse, no vision.
Politicians only visit when elections are near.
No long-term change – Just easy promises.
We are left in a community where, too often, no one cares.
But God gave me strength. And as long as I have it, I will not stop.
We now work alongside:
Young Dynasty (NPO)
Piketberg Youth Sport Development (NPO)
JBC Foundation Starter Academy 7s (NPC)
Star Struck Records (PTY)
And other committed groups beyond Hopefield.
What Now?
I know there is more I could say – A lot more.
But maybe it won’t matter.
What does matter is that I will continue, for as long as I can. To fight for our youth, to speak the truth, and to open doors for those no one else sees.
And maybe, one day soon, our town will remember that every child deserves a dream.
If you would like to support any of our upcoming events or help sponsor a child to participate, fill the “Contact Us” online form today.
We are not looking for pity – we are trying building hope.
