South African kids shine at Future camp
News
The Pho3nix Foundation returned to Africa to hold its second Pho3nix Future Camp in Port Elizabeth from the 1st to the 3rd December 2023. Sixteen future sport stars from across nine sports – hockey, rugby, cricket, soccer, triathlon, swimming, cycling, athletics, and mountain biking – were brought together for a fully-funded experience aiming to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and personal development needed to understand what it will take to achieve their goals in a professional sports career and beyond.
Hosted by four-time triathlon world champion, Pho3nix Foundation board member and MANA Global CEO Chris McCormack, the Pho3nix Future Camp South Africa also featured supporting mentors and speakers including former professional Ironman triathlete Raynard Tissink, renowned inspirational speaker Richard Wright, sports nutrition expert Mark Wolff, South African duathlete Jabu Mpengesi, and Pho3nix Athlete Program triathlete Jamie Riddle.
A visit to Nelson Mandela University’s Sports Science Department for athlete testing was a special highlight of the camp, allowing these promising juniors to understand their physical capabilities in further detail which will prove invaluable for their further training. Camp activities also included sessions on nutrition and injury prevention as well as motivation, sports psychology, public speaking and social media, providing a holistic approach to their development.
Camp participants also had the opportunity to live out the Pho3nix ethos of giving back to community by mentoring a group of 16 youngsters from MTR Smit Children’s Haven, which provides care and support for traumatised children between the ages of 3 to 18. At the Ocean Racing Series on Sunday they held a group warm-up and split up into groups to join the 5-kilometre run/walk, cheering on the children until the finish line.
“Working with young athletes with big goals and unfiltered biases on achieving them is so empowering and rewarding, especially when it comes to helping them build the mindset and surrounding culture that supports their dreams,” said McCormack. “These future sports stars have become part of a talented group that now includes four junior world champions, three national records and 11 national titles, world champions, Asian Games medalists, and five athletes who will be competing in their first Olympic Games in Paris. They will shape their sport for generations to come.”
Pho3nix Future Camp is part of the Pho3nix Future Program, which identifies and assists promising juniors to help them with both athletic and life skills as they pursue a career in professional sport. For more information, visit https://pho3nixfoundation.com/our-activities/pho3nix-future/
Related Articles