PeacePlayers South Africa Storybook FINAL - Flipbook - Page 19
Sean soon worked with the local YMCA to develop a community basketball team of 3rd
and 4th graders called the Albert Park Rough Riders. Simultaneously, Sean expanded
his basketball circle, meeting players and coaches from other communities. He met a
few friends at Durban University of Technology (DUT). Vusi Khumalo was Sean's first
introduction to, and first friend from DUT and Umlazi. Thabani Nkosi was another friend
that came along soon after. They all shared a passion for the game. One day, Vusi and
Thabani called Sean and told him to come to Umlazi, Section M.
Through Vusi and Thabani's connections in Umlazi, Section M, they began to use 3 or
4 basketball courts as the primary area to run programmes. During their first event in
Umlazi, Sean recalls all three of them on the phone with schools, concerned that the kids
wouldn't show up because they were so late in arriving. "We soon looked up to see over
200 kids walking towards us, ready to play basketball." They stood tall, prepared to facilitate
with frisbees and tennis balls for team-building stations. Programmes in Umlazi trended
upward from this point forward. Between games, Sean vividly recalls seeing the Umlazi
coaches bringing DJ's while the kids would break out in dance competitions. It wasn't just
basketball, it was an entire vibration of unparalleled energy, flowing through everyone
present. Today, Sean refers to Umlazi as "the heartbeat of the entire global organisation, not
just South Africa."
PEACEPLAYERS SOUTH AFRICA STORYBOOK
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