Durban – by Dave Macleod. As part of the Legacy programme that stemmed from the recent International Conference on Elite Sport held in Durban in August, global vibration technology leaders, Power Plate, donated state-of-the-art equipment to sport High Performance Centres in Mtubatuba and Newcastle, as identified by the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation.
Power Plate is an in-demand piece of equipment by international athletes at sporting events around the world, to help athletes prepare their bodies better for training and competition, reduce risk of injury, and speed up recovery.
The innovative Football For Life project in Mtubatuba took delivery of two Power Plate units to support the broad range sporting and lifestyle programme run by Swedish trainer Anna Nyman, who supports a large network of local youths with sweeping sport conditioning, lifestyle, empowerment, and wellness programmes.
From left: Football for Life Programme Manager Anna Nyman, Power Plate Representative Erica Minter, Competition Director at SAFA Nathi Mthethwa, Director of Prime HPI Brendon Goodenough, Councillor Bukhosini, Jay Mannikam, Technical Director in the region for SAFA Johnson Mpanza at the Power Plate Legacy handover at the Football for Life Academy in Mtubatuba on Thursday.
“I went to the Power Plate workshops that were hosted at the Prime Human Performance Institute during the recent International Forum on Elite Sport,” said Programme Manager Nyman.
“The Power Plate is quite new to me and we are using the machine for injury prevention for the players, through warm up and core stability exercises.
“The team are very excited to be using the machine and I am sure we will see the benefits of it in the not too distant future.”
A day later the Newcastle High School, that has been designated by the Department of Sport as a regional Sports Focus school, was the recipient of two Power Plate machines that will become integral to the High Performance Centre that is being established at the school.
The town’s mayor Councillor Musa Ngubane was delighted that the Newcastle sport node had been singled out as a recipient for the donation of equipment.
“Newcastle is a sport hotspot,” said Ngubane. “Newcastle and the Amajuba District has got talent. We are working hard at giving opportunities to local sportsmen and women, and trying to keep them here rather than lose them to Durban.”
School principal Manuel Govender said the long term plans for the school’s High Performance Centre was part of their holistic plan for their learners.
From left: Principal of Newcastle High School Manuel Govender, Power Plate Representative Erica Minter, Mayor of Newcastle Councillor Musa Ngubane at the Power Plate Legacy handover at the Newcastle High School on Friday
“Ever since this school was identified as Sport Focus School we decided to take it to a whole new level.
“We are identifying learners from rural areas that do not have the ability to go to a gym to refine their ability in their sport. We want to become that facility.”
He added that investment in their High Performance facility had shown immediate results.
“The impact has been huge,” said Govender. “We have seen marked improvement in our athletes’ conditioning and the results they are achieving, leading to their selections for the regional Amajuba District teams.
Power Plate representative Erica Minter said that the legacy programme was a key component of reaching into disadvantaged communities in territories where advanced technology for elite sport development was not affordable or easily accessible.
“Power Plate can do so much for so many people. It can be life-changing on so many different levels.
“In areas where youngsters might not necessarily be able to reach their full sporting potential, it is really rewarding to be able to facilitate this.
“We have a great partnership in place with the local government and the Prime Sport Development Trust to ensure that the machines get used optimally to help young athletes achieve their full potential,” she added.
For more information visit www.powerplate.co.za