This time Laureus Chairman Edwin Moses took children from the Laureus-supported Sport for All project in Katlehong, near Johannesburg, to watch the England World Cup team play a practice match against local team Platinum Stars in Moruleng.
Laureus England Team visit
Fabio Capello with Laureus Kids
They were joined by another group of kids from the My Home project in Rustenburg and together they met England coach Fabio Capello, David Beckham and many of the players.
The children from both projects watched excitedly as England beat Platinum Stars 3-0 with goals from Jermain Defoe, Joe Cole and Wayne Rooney. The warm-up match was just five days before their opening Group C match against the United States.
Capello and Ferdinand with Edwin and the Laureus kids
England head coach Fabio Capello said: “It was fantastic to share the day with the the Laureus kids. It’s important for the children to know the value of life and the importance of mind and body.”
Wayne Rooney with the Laureus kids
And David Beckham, who is acting as player liaison for Fabio Capello, said: “Children are important. They are our future. I’m sure they had a great time today meeting all the players. I have boys of my own and I loved seeing the smiles on all their faces.”
David Beckham with the Laureus kids
Edwin said: “The children were excited, involved and thrilled to be here. In their young lives, this was probably one of the most significant things that has happened to them. They will go back to their schools and their friends and tell them all about it.
“This is a real concrete example of sport making a difference. It’s what Laureus is all about, world famous soccer stars happy to give their time in the middle of their most important championship to inspire young people.
“I would like to say thank you to Fabio Capello and the English Football Association for making this visit possible.
“As an American, I am not sure I can wish England too much good luck as they are playing against the United States in their opening match on Saturday . I had a great day yesterday meeting the US World Cup Team and I applaud organisations like the English FA and US Soccer, who share with Laureus the belief that we have to leave a legacy for the next generation.”
David James and Edwin Moses talking about hurdles?
One of the most significant challenges in South Africa today is the increasing population of orphans and vulnerable children. It is estimated that there are in excess of 800,000 orphans in the country at present.
Sport for All welcomes orphans and vulnerable children at sports coaching sessions. The children can play any sport they want to, including cricket, hockey, netball, soccer, rugby, volleyball, tennis or even various traditional games. Attending Sport For All coaching gives these children an outlet for their stress and escape from their daily troubles. It allows them to be just a ‘normal child’ for a few hours everyday.
Sport for All also operates in Palmridge, Ganyesa, Thabazimbi and Atteridgeville.
My Home is a ‘safe home’ in Rustenburg which cares for 28 children: 14 Girls from age seven months to 18 years; 14 Boys from age eight months to 23 years. There is no contact with their biological parents, the children are not related and have been with My Home since they were babies and toddlers. There is a growing need in the country for the support of these safe homes, not orphanages.
The Laureus Foundation addresses social challenges through a worldwide programme of sports related community development initiatives. Since its inception Laureus has raised more than €35 million for projects which have helped to improve the lives of over one million young people.
Edwin Moses and Fabio Capello in front of the happy kids
Laureus currently supports 78 community sports projects around the world including 12 in South Africa: Buffalo City Soccer School, Fight With Insight, Free The Youth, Little Champs, PeacePlayers International, Sport for All, Future Champs, Soweto Schools Rugby Project, Indigo Youth Movement, Makomba-Ndlela Youth Movement and the newly established Lungisani Indlela and Johannesburg Cubs.
You can help Laureus to support these kids. Get involved here!
2 Comments 
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Piya Khanna on 25.06.2010 13:06
This is such a great initiative and as an England fan I’m really proud of the guys for doing this.
brian twala on 19.08.2010 14:08
its one of the positives that came out of the World Cup and we are pround to be associated with.it was a opportunity for life for these children to meet their heroes and talk to them