YBL Girls Clinic - A great success!

On Saturday 3rd of September, the 2nd YBL girls clinic of the 2011 took place at Napsa sports complex. There was a good turnout of girls with17 participants from 5 different teams (Jamlek, Hurricanes, Spartans, Magic and Bull-Dogs). Guest coaches Florence Glen and Ella Hewton led the clinic with help from local coaches Mwape Konsolo, William Sikapanda, Levi Chikoti, Nelson Sibanda, Alinafe Mwali, Ricky Mwanza and Bright Lengwe. The purpose of these player-based clinics is to improve the fundamental skills of the girls, share basketball knowledge and experience with the girls, and most importantly for the girls to enjoy learning from the coaches and from each other.

The clinic lasted just over two hours and important parts of basketball were covered such as: shooting, footwork, communication, dribbling and defending. Everyone was a bit nervous at the start of the session, overwhelmed by all the different coaches around them, but by the end of the morning everyone was at ease and the improvements were already noticeable.

One of the major challenges the YBL faces is the lack of girls participating. It is hoped that events such as these clinics will help boost the girls’ confidence and empower them, as well as encouraging more girls to get involved with sport.
It was a great day for Zambian basketball; one from which everyone benefitted, both coaches and players. YBL looks forward to our next coaching which will be in October.

Week 2! Getting used to the Zambian way of life, friendly matches and birthday celebrations!

Week two for group three saw the students begin their placements, getting used to the various bus routes and places to eat lunch- if they got a chance-! The weather has definitely been getting hotter which has meant lots of sun cream and water and unfortunately a fair share of sickness bugs!

After getting to know their teams, a few of the students organised some friendly matches between the different placements on Friday. Fountain of Hope challenged Chawama in under 12, under 14 football and under 12 basketball. There was not much to choose between the two teams, which could clearly be seen in the under 12 football match that ended 1-1. Chawama then took the under 14 football whilst fountain the under 12 basketball.

Elsewhere Munali girl’s netball and boy’s football took on Kalingalinga teams- who had an enjoyable walk to the event working on their team chant with support of their new coach Lucy. A younger Munali boys team were thrilled with only a 1-0 loss against k-town and the k-town girls also enjoyed their match despite a loss against a strong Munali girls team.

The past week also the saw the first of three birthdays of students in the group- a lot considering there are only ten! Flo Glen turned 19 on Wednesday, the group had a BBQ and watched a film to celebrate whilst she chewed through here 50p fruit slab present! Today Olivia Howard turns 22 and the group are going for their first meal out of the house to celebrate and the end of next week Lucy Bell turns the big 2-1! Happy Birthday girls!!

This week, the schools are back and so not only are the students coaching, they are now teaching in the classrooms about HIV and AIDS. It is set to be a busy week ending with a Zambian themed evening on Friday…watch this space!

IDEALS Students Experience Basketball Zambian Style

On the first weekend of their stay in Zambia, IDEALS students Ella Hewton from Loughborough and Florence Glen from Durham University were invited to play for the Rim Oilers basketball team.

Both girls are valuable members of their respective University teams and have been sharing their expertise at their chosen placements since they arrived just over a week ago. Ella has been concentrating her efforts towards the Fountain of Hope which is a boy’s orphanage, central to Lusaka. She has been taking basketball, netball and football sessions. Flo has been taking basketball sessions and working with the Zambian Basketball Association, this is equivalent to a National Governing Body in the UK. She is also coaching teams in the youth league, which was set up by Mwape Konsolo who is the programme and development manager within the charity Sport in Action, which works closely with the IDEALS project. It was set up as a free league for young people, who could then feed into the ZBA.

After their first week of coaching both girls were invited to play as guests for the women’s basketball team, the Rim Oilers, who are a team within the ZBA. As they arrived at the centre both their excitement and nerves were increasing. Unsure what to expect the girls found their coach and changed into their new uniforms, hand made by their team mates. Once rivals, the girls now had to work together in their first African basketball experience.

Inside the hall there was an electric atmosphere with many young men and women turning out to watch the game. The opposition was to be the Green Buffalos, an army team who have a reputation for being a very strong squad. The talk around the hall was that the Oilers wouldn’t stand a chance…

I spoke to the girls before the match to find out how they were feeling…



It was a very physical game and was closely fought, right up to the last quarter. Unfortunately the girls finished behind at 59-65, however with only a 6 point difference it was a good achievement for a team that wasn’t expected to challenge their opponents. The girls will continue to play for the team during their remaining four weeks in Zambia and share their knowledge and experience across the local area. Both were great ambassadors for their Universities and the IDEALS project.

Group 3- Journey, Inductions and the first week!

With group three being the smallest with just 10 IDEALS students, it was not long before they found each other at the airport. There was a buzz of excitement amongst the students about what to expect, as well as anything important they may have forgotten to pack! After a long flight the plane touched down in Zambia at six in the morning, slightly earlier than planned, meaning the group had a brief encounter with group 2 students, who were in floods of tears! Thinking they were all a bit too emotional group three headed off with Tom and Sarah to the IDEALS house! Considering the excitement and noise the students had previously been making, the bus journey to the house was relatively quiet, with the students awe struck with what they saw, needless to say it was a bit of a culture shock for all!

The first few days of the teams stay involved basic introductions into Zambian life. Including getting used to the bumpy roads, the crazy buses, the money and the heat!

After a two day induction including a group visit to all the different sites, the students began their placements. Straight away they had to overcome several obstacles; limited equipment, varying group sizes and an adaption of their sessions as children arrived for training a good hour after it had begun! Next week the students will have to adapt again as the summer holiday cease and school starts back again in Zambia!

However, all of this aside, the Zambian peer leaders have been really supportive to all students and the children appear to be enjoying every minute. The weekend saw a mixture of activities taking place amongst the students, some visited the rural village, others coached sessions or attended tournaments whilst a few relaxed in the sun and caught up on sleep!

Monday has come back around again and the students begin another week of hard work, what lies in stores nobody knows, we will be back soon with all of group 3s adventures…

East Africa Cup - Volleyball Success

A Sport in Action volleyball team has had great success in coming third in the East Africa Cup.

The under 16 team of 5 girls and 4 boys travelled for three days to get to Tanzania where the tournament was held.

The team, who had only three weeks to prepare for the cup, gained their place despite changes to their usual playing habits.
Coach Tila explained that the team usually play outside, however adapting to playing indoors was no challenge for them since their basic skills are sound.

Markina, a team member for two years, is proud of what they achieved:
“When we got there I was nervous but also very excited, it was my first time at a tournament. I love playing with the team, it helps you to understand team work.”

The three day journey may have been long but Markina said that being with her team made it fun.

The team usually trains twice a week, offering training to both boys and girls in volleyball.
Markina said her favourite part of the experience was travelling and playing with her team.

The benefits of team work to both their success and the happiness of the team are evident.

The IDEALS students have been learning that there is not much for young people to do when they are not in school and it can be very easy for them to get in to trouble or bad situations. Being part of a sports team and active within their communities means the young people have something to keep them busy.

Sport is not only a way to keep fit and have an active lifestyle but learning to work as a team and having positive hobbies can really positively affect the lives of young people.

The volleyball team certainly have used such involvement in sport to their advantage- not only having a fun hobby, but showing their sporting prowess in tournaments.

The team also takes part in the Youth Challenge games, held once a month at the Olympic Youth Development Centre.

Coach Tila’s hope is that over the coming weeks they can start to develop a programme for games for children with disabilities.

If that team train as well and work as hard as the current team, volleyball tournaments all over Africa better watch out for the Sport in Action volleyball teams!

IDEALS students meet with the UN

IDEALS team leaders Tom and Sarah and media student Gemma met with a representative from the United Nations in Zambia today.

The students discussed the work the IDEALS project carries out with Sport in Action and Edusport, while also learning where that work links in with the work and aims of the UN.

It was beneficial for the students to see what kind of work the UN are doing as a lot of their aims and goals are similar to that of the IDEALS project’s: those such as the empowerment of girls and women and combating HIV/AIDS.

The staff at the centre seemed keen to work with the IDEALS students, Sport in Action and Edusport. This will be a great opportunity for the students especially, giving them the chance to link in with an international organisation and add another level to their Zambian experience.

The benefits to both Sport in Action and Edusport could also be fruitful since the centre showed great interest in offering help and support in any way to both of the NGOs.

The students were interested to learn of the different programmes run by the UN centre- some of which work in the same communities as the students.
One of the most impressive projects was a computer literacy project which aims to equip pupils near school leaving age with sufficient computer skills to apply for jobs or university.

The computer area was packed with pupils practising their work- some were from Munali where two of the IDEALS students are placed. Others were in the library studying and browsing the books.

The level of involvement with young people from communities across Lusaka was impressive, something which the students respected greatly.

The relationship now established between the centre, IDEALS students, Sport in Action and Edusport should develop to be mutually beneficial to all parties. In turn, we hope it will lead to the further improvement of the projects’ abilities to positively impact on the lives of the children and communities they work with.

Disability no barrier to sports

University Teaching Hospital Special School, Lusaka, has around 150 pupils who are also joined by some from the school for the deaf and hard of hearing. The school caters for pupils with a variety of disabilities ranging from mental to physical conditions. Teachers at the school have been happy to see improvements in their physical education programme with the involvement of volunteers.

Lilian, a teacher at the school, has noticed the positive changes in the pupils through participating in P.E lessons. Some of the children have shown particular developments in their physical, emotional and mental health.

“Some of the children get very frustrated in class but as soon as they come outside for P.E they are happy. When they see the students coming they run out of their lessons and shout ‘Teacher! It is time for P.E!’ ”

The children greeted the IDEALS volunteers with hugs and handshakes and were very excited about starting their lesson. What was immediately obvious was how all of the children were keen to get involved despite their disability. Every child was eager to take part and no one was left out.

Lilian also explained that the games the children play have been helping them cope with their disabilities. A pupil who was once unable to use his hands can now catch and hold a ball and join in with games. The combination of physiotherapy and encouragement to participate in sports has been instrumental in the boy’s increased use of his hands.

Some of the children had been having problems with anger- lashing out at their peers and teachers but since becoming active in their P.E lessons their actions have calmed. Through games and playing together the pupils have learned to act respectfully to each other and work together in games.

Ifiok Archibong, IDEALS student, enjoys helping at the school and has also noticed the effect on the children:

“Some of the children found it hard to join in with the games to begin with but they soon joined the group when they saw how much fun their friends were having. What’s good about the games we play is that all of the children can take part no matter what their disability is.”

Making the games inclusive has been an integral part of the P.E lessons as it is the children who struggled most to begin with who have shown the biggest improvements. Lilian named a number of children who never used to interact with the others and may have felt isolated but who now are the most enthusiastic about the P.E lessons.

What’s evident in the P.E class is that the children really enjoy the class and love spending time outside of the classroom with their peers. The grounds the children play on may not be the best but they don’t seem to mind as long as they get to participate with their peers and the volunteers.