Alchemy Sport and Recreation
Midas Sports Development is a purpose-built development for boys and girls. It is a nonprofit organization established in 2009 that aims to contribute to the development of those with a love and passion for sport.
Our Team members come from underprivileged and poorly funded communities such as Eldorado Park, Soweto, Slovo Park informal settlement, Freedom Park, Kliptown and Pimville. Our mission/purpose/objective is not only to develop their technical skills in sports but also to instil within their values and help them identify opportunities that they would not otherwise be exposed to as a non-paying structure.
Socioeconomic challenges That we are trying to address:
1. Lack of access to recreational and sports facilities, as well as opportunities for sports development – and therefore limited opportunities to participate meaningfully in sports and improve well-being
2. Undesirable behaviours – There is evidence, anecdotally and from the community needs assessments that crime, gender-based violence, alcohol consumption and drug use amongst the youth is a challenge
3. Economic exclusion – one of the challenges that is affecting youth in South Africa and in Eldorado Park, more specifically, is their inability to transition from education into income-earning opportunities – this has been identified as one of the causes of other social ills, including crime, alcohol and substance abuse.
Almost every aspect of the development is supported through donations and voluntary efforts. From our facility, transporting and competition for boys and girls from the surrounding areas to our facilities, food, equipment, and even the players' boots are done through the gracious donations of others.
These children belong to our communities and are driven to create a better life through sports (netball and football for girls and boys) and the discipline they teach as a route out of poverty.