‘Wimbeldon’ heads to Westridge

Arecent street match between a few friends in Portland inspired them to bring sports back to the streets.

And in 48 hours, it was game, set, match in Westridge.

Rodney Brown had gotten a group of his friends and associates together to re-establish street sports among children where he lives – Westridge.

Dubbed “Wimbledon on the streets”, the initiative was organised in 48 hours and saw locals, like author Yusuf Daniels, deputy mayor Eddie Andrews, ward councillor Ashley Potts, sport champions and NGOs join in a round-robin event in Bordeaux Street.

The aim of the event was to encourage children to play.

Brown says there is a lack of organised sports among children.

“Children are on TikTok, they are not playing sports like we used to. The generational gap is too large between us, we have basically lost a generation,” he says.

“It is school holidays and our children do not play. There is no organised sport, organised by children.”

He says street sports is synonymous with their generation.

“We got together a group of associates to come and play and inspire the children. There are hardly any father figures any more, and we also had a chance to relive our days while inspiring children to play. I was shocked to see that children do not know how to hold a bat properly,” says Brown.

Juven Rittles, Ebrahim Abdullah, Ashley Potts, event Rodney Brown and local sporting advocate and eductor, Irfaan Abrahams. PHOTOS: SAmantha lee-Jacobs

Roscoe Williams, project manager at literacy organisation Read to Rise.

Unchain the Plain’s Mark Skrikker.

Juven Rittles of Unchain the Plain says they have now established a relationship with Brown as a “sports champion” for the Westridge area. He has been sponsored with balls and other equipment to get children to play.

Potts says the event created a great atmosphere.

“This is an initiative that we are going to support in the future. We are looking at establishing something similar in other areas, where you can have communities playing against each other,” says Potts.

Unchain the Plain’s Juven Rittles in action.

Tsidiso Motsoahae joins a friendly match.

Nathan Brown.

Load shedding presents a perfect opportunity to get the kids to play, Brown says.

With this being the last week of the school holidays, Brown hopes to see more street sports popping up.

“I know there is the safety aspect of it, but children are no longer children, they are more on social media. Why can’t initiatives like this be shared on TikTok videos, getting children to play.”

Capt Mornay Kleinhans has a blast reliving his childhood with fellow residents.

RiGHT: Ebrahim Abdulla (78) is well known in the sport circles in Mitchell’s Plain. He proves he still has it during a match.

Ward 81 councillor, Ashley Potts.