Champs for Change launches paperback, inspires youth to see that careers in sport exist – on and off the field.
Book featuring 40 real-life stories aims to inspire South Africa’s youth to see sport as an industry filled with career opportunities – on and off the field.
For many young people passionate about sport, the dream of a career in the industry starts and ends with becoming an athlete. Champs for Change (C4C) wants to change that perception – and open young people’s eyes to the many opportunities that exist behind the game.
The South African social enterprise is supporting access to sports career opportunities for youth across Africa, through mentoring, training, skills development and exposure to sports industry networks, helping young people discover pathways into careers both on and off the field.
This message took centre stage in Johannesburg on Thursday, 20 August, when C4C Co-Founder Dr Memuna Williams launched Purpose, Perseverance, Passion – Champs for Change and We Will Lead Africa: A Sports Volume at Exclusive Books, Mall of Africa.
The book features 40 real-life stories from athletes, journalists and people working across the sports industry, demonstrating how passion for sport can translate into careers, leadership, entrepreneurship and social impact.
For C4C, however, the book is about more than celebrating successful people in sport. It is about giving young people hope and showing them that careers in sport do exist.
“Too often, when young people think about a career in sport, they think only about becoming an athlete,” says Dr Memuna Williams, Co-Founder of Champs for Change.
“Sport is an entire industry. There are opportunities in media, technology, business, entrepreneurship, operations, tourism, hospitality and many other areas. We want young people to know these opportunities exist and, importantly, to help them understand how they can access them.”
This sports volume brings C4C’s mission to life through stories spanning the continent – from basketball courts in Senegal to sports startups in Nigeria and media rooms in South Africa. Each story demonstrates the potential of sport to create opportunity, develop leadership and inspire a new generation.
For South Africa, where youth continue to face significant barriers to employment and economic opportunity, C4C believes the sports industry deserves greater attention as a potential career ecosystem.
“The sports industry needs people with many different skills and talents,” says Williams. “Our young people should be able to see themselves not only as athletes or fans, but as future journalists, entrepreneurs, marketers, technologists, event professionals, business leaders and innovators within sport.”
The message echoes Nelson Mandela’s enduring belief in the power of sport: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”
For Champs for Change, that power should extend beyond the playing field. “We believe sports can change lives – and change the world,” says Dr Williams. “But young people need access, information, mentors and networks to turn that belief into opportunity.”
The Johannesburg launch brought together members of the sports, business, youth development, media and leadership communities for an important conversation about how South Africa can open more doors for young people seeking careers in sport.
ABOUT CHAMPS FOR CHANGE
Champs for Change (C4C) is a South African NGO working across Africa to give youth access to mentoring and training in the sporting industry. Through resources, sports-inspired skills training, mentoring and exposure to sports industry networks, C4C helps young people discover career opportunities both on and off the field.
Its vision is to transform the African sports industry by empowering a new generation of leaders to drive innovation, inclusion and excellence across the continent.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Purpose, Perseverance, Passion – Champs for Change and We Will Lead Africa: A Sports Volume is a collection of 40 real-life stories from athletes, journalists and people working across the sports industry. The book explores sport, leadership, entrepreneurship, social impact and African excellence, while giving young people real examples of how passion and purpose can become careers, leadership and impact.
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