A Message from Miles October
Founder and Chairperson, PlaySport4Life
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As we ease into February 2025 and the next 11 months, I am filled with optimism and positivity. This year marks not just another chapter in our journey, but the beginning of our second decade of service to our communities. Looking back at our first ten years, I am amazed at how far we’ve come and excited about where we’re heading.
When we started PlaySport4Life in 2014, we had a simple yet powerful vision: to enrich lives through education and sport. Today, I can proudly say we’ve become the pre-eminent sports-based organization working in the disadvantaged areas in our region, though the path hasn’t always been easy. Perhaps our greatest achievement has been our resilience – staying the course through extremely challenging times while maintaining our commitment to the communities we serve.
The past year has been particularly memorable. Our 10th anniversary gala in August was a testament to our journey, bringing together the past, present, and future champions of our cause. It was heartening to see so many faces – both old friends and new supporters – who have been instrumental in shaping PlaySport4Life’s success story.
Our holiday programs continue to exceed expectations, growing more popular with each passing year. December brought a particularly special moment when my cousin from Australia chose to celebrate her 60th birthday in her city of birth. She arrived with over 30 people who became the driving force behind an extraordinary day in our holiday program. They came bearing Australian football sports gear for our kids, providing not just equipment but also food and entertainment. This personal touch, seeing my family engage directly with our mission, made it an unforgettable day.
Our Magic Ladies Program continues to flourish, setting new benchmarks and inspiring more women to join our sporting community. Their success is a beacon of what we can achieve when we provide opportunities and support.
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re not just dreaming bigger – we’re taking bold steps to expand our impact. We’re excited to commence with two major initiatives: a publication celebrating our sports legends of past, and our sport centre in the Western Cape. These projects represent our commitment to honouring our past while building for the future.
None of our achievements would have been possible without our exceptional staff, committed partners, and dedicated volunteers. They are the backbone of PlaySport4Life, turning our vision into reality every single day.
As we enter our second decade, we do so with renewed vigour and determination. The challenges we’ve overcome have made us stronger, and the successes we’ve achieved have shown us what’s possible. Together, we will continue to use sport as a powerful tool for positive change in our communities.
We hope that the next 10 years will be as productive and fruitful as our first 10 years. Here’s to another decade of transforming lives through sport!
Warm regards,
Miles October
Founder and Chairperson
PlaySport4Life
A Celebration of 10 Years
