Noupoort Wind Farm has put its support behind community sports by funding a number of leagues, which they believe will help to unite the town’s community.

Working closely with the Noupoort and Umsobomvu Municipality, a unified community sports league programme launched in June 2018. The programme includes a Soccer League, Rugby League and women’s Netball League.  The leagues cater for clubs across all age groups from U-16 to Senior leagues.

When asked why the wind farm had chosen to put funding behind sports, Economic Development Manager for Noupoort Wind Farm, Livhuwani Nwachukwu said, “Sport is the soul of this community, it is cohesive and has a far reaching positive bearing that not only benefits participants, but their families and schools too”.

‘When looking at social studies, in South Africa and across the globe, participation in sports has shown to have reduced crime and anti-social behaviour, improved educational attainment and attendance, reduced substance misuse and of course improve fitness and general well-being.  These are all things that we hope to influence within the Noupoort community,” added Nwachukwu.

Soccer remains the most popular sport in the region and it is no different in the town of Noupoort. The Noupoort Soccer League consists of nine clubs. The clubs were hindered financially over the years, relying on minimal registration fees and supplementary income raised through community fundraising efforts.

Through Noupoort Wind Farm’s sponsorship the U-16 and Senior League can now look forward to being awarded prize money both for top teams and the community’s best players.  They also look forward to welcoming out-of-town scouts, whom they hope will make it possible for players to try out for top flight clubs that are in the Premiere Soccer League.
The Noupoort municipality plays an important role as it provides the sports facilities and maintains them too.  “We are grateful for this partnership and for the municipalities’ help in co-ordinating and planning the Leagues,” concluded Nwachukwu.

June 2018