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Gansbaai Sports Centre, Overstrand Municipality

A sports site in Gansbaai in South Africa's Western Cape opened in 2008 - the programme's first site outside the UK.

Celebrations at the opening of the Gansbaai Sports Centre with South African footballers Clifford Ngobeni (left) and Bryce Moon.

Celebrations at the opening of the Gansbaai Sports Centre with South African footballers Clifford Ngobeni (left) and Bryce Moon.

What people say:

“We have created a space here that will unify the communities of Gansbaai and inspire the future generations,” said Overstrand Mayor Theodorus Beyleveldt.

It will instil the real values of sportsmanship and team spirit into our young people. It will shape the hearts and minds of those who are going to lead us tomorrow.”

Find out more

  • Background

    The Gansbaai Communal Sports Centre became the first Barclays Spaces for Sports site to open outside the UK, when it launched in April 2008.

    Located in the Overstrand area and set between three racially segregated communities, it aims to provide people with an opportunity to enjoy sports facilities, encouraging social integration and developing their sporting talent.

     

  • Our contribution

    Absa, a South African financial services organisation majority-owned by Barclays, provided a grant to fund the construction and development of the centre.

    Other investment partners included the Barclays Premier League, the Overstrand Municipality, the Grootbos Foundation, and the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports.
     

  • How the site benefits the community

    The new centre gives more than 20,000 local people an opportunity to enjoy high quality sports facilities that cater for football, rugby, netball, hockey, cricket and tennis. It includes a clubhouse and a full-size artificial grass football pitch – the first of its kind in South Africa.

    Experts at the site are training local young people as sports co-ordinators, improving their employment prospects and their confidence.

     

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