United sport forum now up and running
2006-06-22
THE sporting community in Drakenstein will have a united voice in the future following the recent establishment of the Drakenstein Sport and Recreational Forum (DSRF).
The DSRF was officially introduced to the local sports codes at a function that was held in the Paarl Town Hall last Wednesday.
Present were the mayor of Drakenstein, Charmaine Manuel, the newly appointed Sport Liaison Officer for the Drakenstein
Municipality, Maawyah Moerat, as well as the executive committee of the DSRF, chaired by Jerry Seale.
Although the Paarl and Wellington sport forums have been functioning for more than ten years, other towns within the boundaries of the Drakenstein Municipality did not have such bodies.
After the amalgamation of municipalities in 2000, efforts were made to establish one united sport forum for all the sports clubs in Drakenstein.
This process only really got underway after a Sports Indaba was held in Wellington last year.
At this indaba a working group was chosen to establish sport forums in Hermon, Gouda and Saron; draft a sports policy for Drakenstein and rural areas and; prioritise projects for the R1,5 million in the 2005/6 budget; identify the key issues and find possible solutions to the use, procedure and maintenance of sports facilities in Drakenstein.
The working group under the leadership of Thomas du Plessis met all these challenges.
On 14 March this year an annual general meeting was held where the executive committee of the DSRF was elected.
The committee consists of Jerry Seale (chairman), Pieter Lourens (vice-chairman), Adam Bekeur (treasurer), Gert Engelbrecht (secretary), Mietjie Oerson (assistant secretary), Warwick Korasie (projects), Allan Prince (policy), Denzil Thomas (rural sport), Finand Marima (development), James Titus (facilities).
These members will be responsible for building the DSRC into a representative and relevant structure; upgrade, maintain and build new facilities for sports people; work towards hosting regional, provincial, national and even international events at local stadiums; and generally work towards a situation where sport contributes to nation-building locally.
“We are here to serve. Sports people must get their rightful share,” Seale said.
He added that one of the emotional issues the Forum would look at was “Die Kraal”, and its reutilisaion as a sports facility.
Seale also mentioned the haphazard state of the Pelicaan Park rugby field which is the home ground of the current log leaders in the Boland’s Premier League, Roses United Rugby Club.
He further stated that the lack of soccer fields also needed immediate attention.
Mayor Manuel wished the committee and the Forum well for the task lying ahead.
“One of the challenges facing you is improved representation of race and gender in the committee,” Manuel said with reference to the single woman member and the absence of white or African members on the committee.
“I’m satisfied that we have a united DSRF which represents the different towns in Drakenstein. Let the DSRF also be a vehicle for transformation.”
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