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The athletes report that they were given economic opportunities as a result of their involvement in the Academy. Dumisile reported as follows: “the Academy I can say it changed my life in a lot of different ways. Without the Academy I couldn’t be here and have things I have now”. One of the athletes explained that they received things (material objects) that they did not have prior to their involvement in the Academy. Lindani said:

My personal experience with this programme is that it helped me a lot financially and at home. Since there were things we would ask at home and we could not get it because of financial problems.

When asked what the aim of the Academy was Lindani explained “ the Academy wanted to provide us with the things we did not have, since they found us struggling financially”. In this respect Khwezi said that the Academy “achieved a lot”.

The athletes report that they receive food parcels on a monthly basis to help them and their families as a result of their participation in the Academy. Bongani said, “We get food parcels to give to our families”. Sifiso said, “Before we never got proper equipment, nutrition, training programmes or opportunities to practice on the river because we never had transport to go there”. The Academy has given these men the resources needed to compete in sport. The athletes are also provided with canoeing equipment. Bongani said,

“They buy us equipment, any kind of equipment that we want”. This refers to equipment needed for paddling such as canoes, paddles, life jackets, splash covers, shoes and clothing.

It was also reported that through the Academy the athletes were able to receive personal sponsorships. Fundani said, “He (founder) develops us to achieve and move forward, like me, helping me get my own sponsors and move forward”. Fundani said that if it were not for the Academy he might not even have been involved in sport. He said, “I don’t think I would have been where I am because I would have had no sponsors and no equipment that I actually have today”. The athletes are saying that they need certain equipment in order to develop as athletes. This indicates that resources are needed in the sport of canoeing, in order for them to succeed or excel in the sport. This could also be the case in other sports like cycling, where a lot of equipment is needed.

The athletes reported that they were given opportunities to be involved in other sports and travel to other provinces in the country for races. Sifiso said “I have had opportunities of getting involved in other sports such as mountain biking and trail running and also opportunities of travelling because the Academy has given us opportunities to go to races in Cape Town, Joburg (Johannesburg) and even as far as Upington”. Dumisile said, “Like before I couldn’t race all over, it was limited, I couldn’t pay myself”. The athletes did not have transport or money for entries for these experiences prior to the Academy.

Some of the athletes were given employment opportunities within the Academy.

Bongani has become the head coach of the Academy in place of the founder and informed me

“I am working now six days a week as the coach of the Academy”. Andile has been employed as the coach’s assistant. Another project within the Academy is a running league where they have children from different schools involved. Dumisile is employed as the coordinator of the running league. He has a few people who work under him who are also part of the Academy.

Sifiso used to work as a running coordinator of the running league and noted, “he (founder) and the Academy gave me the opportunity to coordinate the running league”. The Academy has helped some of the athletes by giving them employment as well as teaching them skills, which make them more employable. Bongani said “They also help us with things like getting a drivers license”. A driver’s license is also something that can make one more employable.

One of the athletes, Sifiso, explained that they have learnt things in sport, which can be used in other areas of life. When asked the question: “What have you learnt in sport that you can use in other aspects of your life?”. His response was:

For example guys like Bongani, he was in the programme and through the programme when it was first introduced he finished in the top ten in the Dusi and after that

he went home and built himself a house and bought furniture and everything and now recently he has bought himself a car. So ja (yes), he has improved his life.

Sifiso was asked whether or not it was the Academy that helped Bongani do all of that, his response was “Ja (yes) it has helped him do all of that, I think so. Guys like Fundani as well, he has also built himself a house, has furniture and a car. So ja (yes) it helps us improve our lives”.