By Nangamso Mabindla
14 December 2004

THE AUSTRALIA Africa 2006 Programme, which aims to develop Buffalo City's young sportsmen into household names, held a Volunteer Awards Ceremony at the Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium on December 10.

The work of volunteers, who have been involved with this initiative since its inception in 2001, was publicly acknowledged at the function.

The initiative, part of the Australian Sports Commission's Ausiaid programme, is based on 'a whole-community approach' to physical activity and is aimed at creating sustainable opportunities for all people in the community to participate and benefit from sport.

The programme focuses on the development of rugby, netball and cricket in areas like Mdantsane and Ilitha in Buffalo City.

The Active Community Club Programme grew out of the initiative and is aimed at developing the physical skills of unemployed youths in the impoverished communities of Buffalo City.

Regional manager of the Australia Africa 2006 Programme, Thoko Mlonyeni, said tournaments are held around the city in an effort to spot talent and contribute to the development of sport in the area.

He said different communities supported the programme, with volunteers assisting with the coaching of youngsters participating in the tournaments.

"These volunteers dedicated their time and resources to the success of this programme and we thought we'd reward them and give them a pat on the back," added Mlonyeni, adding she was looking forward to a successful 2005.

This year the programme received equipment worth R500 000 from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, as well as equipment for its netball teams.

Mlonyeni thanked all those people who helped make the programme a success.