NEWS
The 8th Annual Martin Green Memorial Golf Tournament in aid of Cancer Research UK is a great success
The Martin Green Memorial Golf Tournament remembers a remarkable man who whilst a teacher at St. Mary’s School, Menston played an important role in developing the Bambisanani Partnership. The Eighth Annual Tournament was held at East Morton Golf Club, as it always is, and raised £620 for Cancer Research UK. Over the past eight years this event has raised over £10,000 for the charity.
The Martin Green Memorial Golf Tournament remembers a remarkable man who whilst a teacher at St. Mary’s School, Menston played an important role in developing the Bambisanani Partnership. The Eighth Annual Tournament was held at East Morton Golf Club, as it always is, and raised £620 for Cancer Research UK. Over the past eight years this event has raised over £10,000 for the charity.
The day was a great success, marked with glorious weather, tremendous camaraderie, superb hospitality and some excellent golf.
The winner of the 2022 Martin Green Memorial Trophy was Richard Chattoe with an impressive 43 Stableford points. Tom Lamb was a very close runner-up also on 43 points and Wayne Summerscale gained third place with 40 points. The Longest Drive competition was won by Joe Geldart, the Straightest Drive competition by Alan King and the Nearest the Pin challenge by Giles Wilkes.
A delighted Richard Chattoe said, “It’s always a great pleasure to play in the memorial tournament for Martin who was a wonderful colleague and friend of mine during 12 great years at St. Mary’s, Menston. The day is always played and approached with a superb, positive and friendly atmosphere, much like Martin himself! I am sure he would be so pleased and proud of this event and perhaps even some of the golf played. To play well and end up winning this year’s competition is a great bonus for me in what was another wonderful occasion to celebrate and remember Martin.”
It was a wonderful honour to have Martin’s daughter, Jenni, at the event who not only presented all the awards but also played in the tournament winning the special putting prize. Jenni said, “This day is so special; it is wonderful that so many people remember Dad in this way and raise much needed funds for Cancer Research UK in the process. I cannot thank all those involved enough.”
The event was organised by former colleagues of Martin; Alex Smickersgill, Catherine Chattoe and David Geldart. David said, “Massive thanks to everyone that played and supported the event in any way. We are indebted to Fred Heaton, Danny Halligan, Greg Smith, Michelle Hefferen and Mike Gosling for making it such a great occasion. Special thanks also to St. Mary’s School and all the team East Morton Golf Club who always go the extra mile to ensure that this tournament is a tremendous success and celebration. We are already looking forward to next year’s competition!”
All photos with kind permission of Mike Gosling
Vatican honour for Bambisanani Founder
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of The Bambisanani Partnership has been invited to contribute to a landmark Sports Summit at the Vatican in September. The International Summit Sport for All - Cohesive, Accessible and Tailored to each Person, is being held at the Vatican in response to Pope Francis' call on the social, educational and spiritual importance of sport.
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of The Bambisanani Partnership has been invited to contribute to a landmark Sports Summit at the Vatican in September. The International Summit Sport for All - Cohesive, Accessible and Tailored to each Person, is being held at the Vatican in response to Pope Francis' call on the social, educational and spiritual importance of sport.
The Summit will involve major sports and intergovernmental institutions and organizations from around the world, to respond to the Holy Father's calls on the social responsibility of sports and the importance of sports practice as a means of human, educational and spiritual growth.
With over 40 years’ experience in education and sport David’s work has been recognised both nationally and internationally. During a highly distinguished career at St. Mary’s School, Menston he led one of the country’s most successful Sports Colleges. David has held a range of key national strategic roles at the Department of Education, Department of Health and the Department of Media, Culture and Sport. David was appointed by the Secretary of State as a founding member of the Sport England Lottery Panel and subsequently as a board member of Sport England at a period of time that saw transformational changes in national sport from community to elite level and London win the bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. An experienced presenter and speaker, he has lectured at International Conferences throughout the world on various aspects of education, sport and international development.
David currently leads The Bambisanani Partnership, a multi-award-winning UK based charity that originated as a partnership between St. Mary’s School in Menston, UK and Mnyakanya High School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 2006. Run entirely by volunteers the partnership uses the power of sport as a catalyst to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership and has gained international acclaim for its work. The partnership now involves many more schools and universities in both the UK and South Africa. Both the University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University are key members of the partnership. In South Africa the partnership operates in the Nkandla region which is one of most remote and deprived parts of the country. ‘Bambisanani’ is a Zulu word meaning ‘working hand in hand’ which aptly encapsulates the philosophy of the partnership which seeks to provide collaborative learning opportunities for young people in both countries. Over the past sixteen years more than 10,000 young people from the UK and South Africa have participated in a variety of Bambisanani Partnership programmes and projects. “This partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes in the world” – The British Council
During the Summit in Rome, a Declaration will be presented that invites the world of sport to look to the future by embracing three fundamental characteristics: cohesive, accessible and tailored to each person. The first to highlight the need to reduce the gap between grassroots and professional sports, in the belief that the unity of sport is a value to be safeguarded and nurtured. The second to guarantee all people the right to practice sports, regardless of their social conditions (poverty, migration conditions and refugee status, marginality, war, prison detention, etc.). Finally, the third keyword focuses on enabling all people to be able to practice sports, even when they have physical or mental disabilities or psychological hardships.
The Summit provides for the participation by invitation of around 200 people from the world of sports (athletes, coaches, managers), International Sports Federations, and also amateur Sports Associations. Representatives of different Christian denominations and other religions will also be present, as well as non-profit organisations and educational institutions from around the world working for inclusion in society through sport.
At the conclusion of the Summit, in the presence of Pope Francis, participants will be invited to sign the Declaration with a commitment to increasingly promote in their own institutions and sports organizations the social and inclusive dimension of sport. This invitation will ultimately be extended to all sports entities throughout the world.
Speaking about the invitation David Geldart said, “This is a quite remarkable honour, in fact I can’t think of a greater honour. It reflects so well on all the amazing Bambisanani team both here and in South Africa. The Summit and subsequent Declaration will raise the profile of sport and its potential and responsibility to be used as a force for good in the world. This is a unique opportunity to enhance the role of sports in society and produce an action plan to create real social change. It is an enormous privilege to be involved.”
Vatican honour for Bambisanani founder [ILKLEY GAZETTE]
Also see related stories:
The Vatican’s Sport at the Service of Humanity Foundation celebrates the work of the Bambisanani Partnership (01/12/2022)
Two members of the Bambisanani Partnership team involved in Vatican led Global sports initiative (13/12/2021)
Golf tournament in aid of Cancer Research UK remembers Bambisanani stalwart
Details of the upcoming event
Details of the upcoming event
Maurice Green 1935 - 2022
Today we said our final goodbyes at the funeral of Maurice Green who died recently. Maurice and his wife Jean have been great supporters and sponsors of the Bambisanani Partnership from the very onset of the charity’s work in South Africa. Maurice was the father of Bambisanani stalwart, Martin Green who died in 2014.
Today we said our final goodbyes at the funeral of Maurice Green who died recently. Maurice and his wife Jean have been great supporters and sponsors of the Bambisanani Partnership from the very onset of the charity’s work in South Africa. Maurice was the father of Bambisanani stalwart, Martin Green who died in 2014.
David Geldart from the partnership said “Maurice was a wonderful man, full of kindness and humanity, he cared about people and he cared about the world. In his own quiet, humble and unassuming way he made a real difference in so many ways, not least in South Africa with young people that he would never meet. Maurice will be missed by all those who were privileged to know him. Rest in Peace Maurice, you led by example in so many ways and you leave us with this legacy and with so many special memories.”
City Honour for Bambisanani Partnership
The Bambisanani Partnership has been honoured in a prestigious event at Leeds Civic Hall. The annual Leeds Compassionate City Awards celebrate the positive work that individuals, community groups and organisations do every day to make their local communities and the city a great place to live, work and visit.
The Bambisanani Partnership has been honoured in a prestigious event at Leeds Civic Hall. The annual Leeds Compassionate City Awards celebrate the positive work that individuals, community groups and organisations do every day to make their local communities and the city a great place to live, work and visit.
The 2021 Awards Ceremony had been delayed because of Covid-19 and in all there were nine different categories recognised on the rearranged evening. Honoured guests and Civic dignitaries heard opening speeches about the importance of the annual awards from Leader of Leeds City Council, James Lewis, The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan, Councillor Mary Harland, Executive Member for Communities and Paul Money, Chief Officer for Safer, Stronger Communities.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Asghar Khan
The Bambisanani Partnership was Highly Commended in the Sport Project of the Year category which is sponsored by the Leeds United Foundation. Both Michael Kinsey from the Leeds United Foundation and Councillor Andrew Scopes spoke about the Sport Project Awards. The Bambisanani Partnership was praised for the inspirational ways that it uses the power sport to connect young people in Leeds and South Africa and in particular for the way that it had been determined to develop its work despite the impact of Covid-19. The distinguished guests heard how the partnership had created an International Athletics Challenge which linked schools in both countries digitally for coaching and competitions.
Over the last year, despite all the Covid chaos and disruption, 138 nine and ten year olds from rural South Africa and the Leeds joined together in this unique Bambisanani Partnership International Athletics Challenge. Albeit virtually, the challenge brought together four schools from the two countries to learn together in a range of fun athletic activities.
South African students from Vumanhlamvu Primary School in Nkandla and John Wesley Primary School in Eshowe connected with St. Mary’s Primary School, Horsforth and St. Joseph’s Primary, Pudsey in a range of running, jumping and throwing challenges that allowed students to learn about athletics with opportunities to compete ‘against themselves’, improving personal performance over time, as well as also competing against children in their school and significantly with children in all the other schools involved in both countries by comparing performances.
The programme gave great importance to all participants working hard to improve their own personal performance over time in six different events for both boys and girls: 50m run, 200m run, Standing Long Jump, Three Hop Jump, Tennis Ball Throw and Football Throw. Initially students were taught the basic activity and then established their own ‘personal best’ in each of the activities. Over the following weeks and months, the children were given the opportunity to practise, rehearse and experiment in order to improve their performances. A remarkable 76 students made significant progress over time in at least three different events and were awarded special certificates to recognise this. All four schools had their own competitions in the events which created 12 Champions in each school. The top three performers in each event received a certificate. Three very exciting 10-person x 40m relay events (Boys, Girls, Mixed) were also added for the International Competition. Each school submitted their best three performance in each of the 15 events for the international competition between schools. 126 International Competition medals (‘Bronze’, ‘Silver’ and ‘Gold’) were presented to the top three performers/teams in each event.
Such has been the enormous success of this innovative programme that more than twenty schools from Leeds and South Africa have already registered to participate in this year’s Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge.
Representing the Bambisanani Partnership on the evening were Catherine Chattoe, Bambisanani Co-ordinator at St. Mary’s, Menston, Barbara Pounder, teacher at St. Mary’s, Horsforth and Bambisanani Trustee and David Farmer, teacher at St. Joseph’s Pudsey and Bambisanani Primary lead.
Speaking on behalf of the charity Catherine Chattoe said, “It was absolutely fantastic to hear about so many wonderful projects and meet some of the remarkable people involved. To be even short listed for this occasion is a great achievement but to actually receive an award is an amazing honour which reflects so well on all the team involved in Bambisanani projects both here in Leeds and in South Africa. Massive thanks must go to all those involved in involved our International Athletics Challenge particularly the pupils and staff at St. Josephs Pudsey, St. Mary’s Horsforth and in South Africa, John Wesley Primary School in Eshowe and Vumanhlamvu Primary School in Nkandla. Thank you also to all those involved at Leeds City Council and the Leeds United Foundation for your tremendous support; these awards are very special and say so much about the great city of Leeds and our values.”
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of The Bambisanani Partnership added,” There is something very special, if not unique, about the power of sport to bring people together. Leeds has a fantastic sporting tradition and is highly committed to all levels of sport throughout the city so there was never going to be any shortage of great projects nominated for these prestigious awards. There is also of course a very powerful bond between the city of Leeds and South Africa so we are very proud to contribute to this special relationship through the work of the partnership.”
Over the past 15 years, under the banner of ‘working together and learning together’, the Bambisanani Partnership has engaged over 10,000 young people from both countries in a wide range of sports-based projects and programmes which aim to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership.
Charity connecting pupils from Leeds and South Africa [WHARFEDALE OBSERVER]
Also see related news stories:
Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2022 from all at the Bambisanani Partnership
May the strength of God pilot us,
May the wisdom of God instruct us,
May the hand of God protect us,
May the Salvation, O Lord, be always ours,
this day and for evermore,
Amen.
– St. Patrick
May the strength
of God pilot us,
May the wisdom
of God instruct us,
May the hand
of God protect us,
May the Salvation,
O Lord, be always ours,
this day and for evermore,
Amen.
–St. Patrick
Mnyakanya School celebrates best exam results ever!
Students jumped for joy on receiving the best ever Matriculation exam results at Mnyakanya School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Together with St. Mary’s, Menston, Mnyakanya School helped found the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership in 2006.
Students jumped for joy on receiving the best ever Matriculation exam results at Mnyakanya School in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Together with St. Mary’s, Menston, Mnyakanya School helped found the multi-award winning Bambisanani Partnership in 2006.
Last year 72% of students passed the Matriculation exam, which was the best to date. This year, a remarkable 86% of students gained a pass.
The national Matric exam is based on Grade 12 students having to gain passes across a wide range of individual subjects. Of 97 students, 40 obtained a ‘Bachelor Pass’ which is the entry required for university. 28 students achieved a ‘Diploma Pass’ which is the entry requirement for Technical Colleges and 13 students gained the ‘Higher Certificate’ which can provide access to Vocational Colleges.
Mnyakanya is situated in one of the country’s most challenging rural regions with high levels of deprivation, unemployment and health issues. Life is tough at the best of times but the last two years has been particularly difficult with all that Covid has brought. Add to this, issues with both water and electricity supply and a period of civil disruption, then the results are even more amazing. Teachers at the school have provided many extra lessons after school, evenings and at weekends to help students prepare for the exams. This is even more remarkable when considering many of the students walk two hours to and from school each day.
Mrs Pk Zondi, Bambisanani Partnership coordinator at Mnyakanaya, reported ‘great excitement’ when the results were announced with community members rushing to the school to join the celebrations with singing and dancing. Many officials from the Municipality and Department of Education have subsequently visited the school to pass on their congratulations.
““We would not be in this position without the support of the Bambisanani Partnership and in particular St. Mary’s School, Leeds Trinity University and the University of Leeds. The partnership has been with us at our most challenging of times. The growing success of the school has led to a 40% increase in students wishing to attend and this despite having to walk long distances to do so. We would like to thank all those who have contributed to creating a better future for our young people.””
“We are overwhelmed with the results. This is great achievement and progress when you look at the challenges of recent years.””
““I simply cannot praise the educators and learners at Mnyakanya enough; in every sense they continue to go the extra mile. Their determination to succeed is genuinely inspirational. As a partnership our charity now works with primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities in both the UK and South Africa. Our work is about helping young people in both countries achieve their potential. Mnyakanya School provides an oasis of hope for young people; all those involved in our partnership will gain strength from these remarkable and thoroughly deserved results which have been achieved with limited material resources. Despite the challenges, we sincerely hope that as many students as possible will be able to continue their education. The partnership will continue to work with the school and others to provide bursaries for further and higher education where possible. My personal thanks must go to the Principal, Mr Siyabonga Ngubane and Mrs Pk Zondi for their vision and commitment to both their young people and the partnership; their leadership is changing the lives of so many young people through the power of education, sport and partnership. Massive congratulations to all at Mnyakanya!””
Mnyakanya School in Nkandla achieves highest matric results ever [ZULULAND OBSERVER]
Internationalism honour for The Bambisanani Partnership
The Bambisanani Partnership has been invited to become a partner of the British Council’s influential Internationalism Alliance.
The Bambisanani Partnership has been invited to become a partner of the British Council’s influential Internationalism Alliance.
Since 2006 the multi award winning, Leeds based charity has gained international acclaim for it work in South Africa using sport to promote education, health, global citizenship and leadership in one of the countries most deprived rural areas. Over the past 15 years more than 10,000 young people from South Africa and the UK have engaged in Bambisanani projects and programmes. The work of the partnership now spans primary schools, secondary schools, colleges of further education and universities.
In a recent event celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Bambisanani Partnership John Rolfe from the British Council said: "This partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world.”
The International Alliance aims to offer every child and young person in the United Kingdom, whatever their background or interests, the opportunity to learn from – and connect with – other people in the UK and around the world. The Alliance is committed to working with a range of partners in order to:
champion international and intercultural experiences for children and young people
advocate for increased opportunities for international learning
build resources to support high-quality international experiences.
There are over fifty Internationalism Alliance partners including: The Princes Trust, National Union of Students, Curious Minds, Voluntary Service Overseas, Scouts UK, Girl Guides. The Brilliant Club, Step up to Serve Network, Jane Goodall Institute, Tate Collective, Centre for International Learning and Leadership and the Economist Foundation.
Partners are part of a community of organisations working with young people who are committed to working collaboratively in order to:
identify priorities and work towards shared goals with other members
participate in regular, themed workshops and meetings
be part of advocacy campaigns to influence leaders and decision-makers to increase opportunities for young people
ensure young people’s voices are always part of the thinking.
The Alliance has already expressed an interest to use examples of Bambisanani programmes and projects as case studies of good practice.
David Geldart, Founder and Chair of the Bambisanani Partnership said; “It is a real honour to be invited by the British Council to become a partner in its influential Internationalism Alliance. Having already attended one meeting I was very impressed with the expertise, experience and commitment of fellow partners: the Bambisanani Partnership cannot fail to learn from this. In an increasing interrelated planet, all young people deserve the opportunity to broaden their horizons through a better understanding of the world and its peoples. International experiences give young people a wider perspective of the world and on life itself. Such experiences should form a vital part of every young person’s education; preparing them, and indeed their countries, to play their part in creating a better, more equal and sustainable world. The Bambisanani Partnership is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to this goal.”
Jordan Sinnott's Family launch Charity
The Bambisanani Partnership is delighted that the family and friends of Jordan have established a charity in his name.
The Bambisanani Partnership is delighted that the family and friends of Jordan have established a charity in his name.
Like the Bambisanani Partnership, the charity will be using sport to change lives. We wish the charity all the very best and we look forward to working with them closely in the future.
2021 Bambisanani Highlights
The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its work in South Africa using sport to change lives. The considerable challenges posed by Covid 19 have not deterred the Menston based charity from its ground-breaking work; most projects have been sustained and new ones have actually been introduced.
The Bambisanani Partnership has gained international acclaim for its work in South Africa using sport to change lives. The considerable challenges posed by Covid 19 have not deterred the Menston based charity from its ground-breaking work; most projects have been sustained and new ones have actually been introduced.
David Geldart, Bambisanani Founder and CEO said: “Despite everything, or quite possibly because of everything, 2021 was a remarkably important and successful year for The Bambisanani Partnership. Covid restrictions have curtailed our exchange visits for the past two years but despite the frustration and disappointment at this we have continued to make exciting progress in many areas. Most significantly, our mindset has been to focus on the many things that COULD be done rather on things that could not. Existing connections and friendships have been strengthened, and very importantly, new relationships have been established during this time with schools, universities, organisations and individuals. All of this has provided us with new opportunities and an enhanced capacity to work in partnership with others. As a consequence, many of our existing programmes have continued to flourish and several new ones have been introduced. Many have said that we have succeeded ‘against all odds’ this year but our view is that ‘these odds’ have ‘simply’ made us look at things differently and more imaginatively in order to achieve our goals. We have learned and grown enormously as result.”
John Rolfe MBE from the British Council added:
“This partnership has developed some of the best international education programmes and practice in the world.”
Bambisanani Partnership Highlights from 2021
