Charlize Theron provides soccer opportunities to deserving kids

I’m a huge fan of Charlize Theron so was delighted to learn that she’s a celeb who gives back. As a native of South Africa, it makes sense  that her charitable efforts focus on the youth of her struggling but extraordinary country.

The Charlize Theron African Outreach Project and the LAFC Chelsea Soccer Club have joined forces to give kids living in underserved communities – in Southern California and Umkhanyakude District of the KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa – more opportunities to play competitive soccer.

This new collaboration will be made official during the upcoming match on July 21, between two of the world’s top international teams – Chelsea FC and Inter Milan. These soccer powerhouses, who have not competed in the United States for fifteen years, will face off in front an expected 90,000 fans at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA, and will be televised world-wide on ESPN. Net proceeds from this spectacular match will benefit LAFC Chelsea, one of America’s most successful and prominent youth soccer clubs.

The fundraising event will help continue LAFC Chelsea’s mission to give economically challenged youth living in Southern California real opportunities to play competitive soccer as a means to keeping them in school through graduation. Money raised will also allow LAFC Chelsea to help expand its reach, building a viable youth soccer club in a rural community of South Africa in cooperation with Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP).

“LAFC Chelsea has always been focused on leading economically challenged young people to brighter futures and a better life through the universal sport of soccer,” says Don Sheppard, President of LAFC Chelsea. “When I learned about Charlize’s incredible plan to give sustainable opportunities to young South Africans who are at enormous risk, I knew that LAFC Chelsea was in position to help.”

With World Cup 2010 on African soil for the very first time, CTAOP wants to put a spotlight on the urgent need to provide sustainable health, education and recreational resources to remote areas where HIV/AIDS rates are unacceptably high. As part of CTAOP’s plan, LAFC Chelsea has made a three-year commitment to help build a community-wide soccer program for the schools in the Umkhanyakude District. This includes uniforms, cleats, balls and equipment, along with professional training for local coaches, referees and administrators. The soccer league training will also include life-saving health education administered through a CTAOP-funded mobile health program.

“Our goal is to help truly create a safer, healthier and better life for the young people in South Africa, especially those living in remote areas, and to ensure that the resources we bring are self sustaining. The three year commitment is so incredible and key to being sure that the program will be around for many years to come,” says Charlize Theron. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude to Don and LAFC Chelsea for their commitment to help us give these beautiful, young people a recreational outlet that is sorely lacking from their lives.”

Tickets: Never before has Southern California seen over 40 World Cup players and 6 National Team Captains all taking the field at the Rose Bowl. Individual ticket prices are $35, $55, $75, and $100. To buy individual tickets, just go to www.lafcsoccer.com or call TicketMaster at 800-745-3000. For group tickets, VIP tickets, or luxury boxes, call 1-818-952-LAFC.

Basketball clinic held for South African girls

September 7, 2008 – After holding clinics for boys and young men from across Africa in South Africa for the last six years, the NBA held its first camp for girls in Johannesburg.

Sixty participants spent two hours on the courts of a Johannesburg high school with Jennifer Azzi, 40, who led Stanford to a collegiate national championship in 1990 and was part of the U.S. team that won Olympic gold in 1996. She went on to spend five seasons in the WNBA.

According to an AP article, Azzi didn’t just share the finer points of shooting and passing. She urged the young women to take their confidence and competence off the court, and not be afraid to shatter stereotypes about a woman’s place in this traditional society.

“You’re changing the culture of South Africa for women,” she told the group.

Azzi, an ambassador for the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders, understands the importance of making a positive impact beyond the basketball court. Her training helps girls develop the necessary skills to live a centered and balanced life. Change, Azzi believes, comes from the inside out.

Earlier in the week, Azzi sat down with players from the University of Johannesburg women’s basketball and volleyball teams. The women spoke of fathers who thought they should be home cooking dinner instead of at practice. Azzi told them her own parents were supportive, but she had an aunt and uncle who thought she was “the weirdest kid” because she was doing what boys did.

“But let me tell you something: When I got to the Olympics, my aunt and uncle were my best friends,” she said. 

The South African girls were encouraged to know that everywhere, females are going through the same thing. Clearly, no matter where you’re from, girls struggle with many of the same issues. The good news is that step by step, with the support of mentors like Azzi and others, girls are learning the power of change.

Though not just for girls,  be sure to check out these great organizations to see how baskeball can change the world: Hoops 4 Hope and Basketball Without Borders.