In 2026, Sport brought children and young people together across all eight Children of the Dawn centres during a vibrant season of sports tournaments. From soccer and netball to Frontball, rope skipping and MiniChess, the tournaments created opportunities for beneficiaries to stay active, develop new skills and build stronger relationships with one another and their communities. The tournaments took place between June and July, with each centre hosting its own event and bringing together beneficiaries, community members and, in some cases, neighbouring organisations. The Mathabatha Centre kicked off the tournament season on 7 June, welcoming visitors from the Lepelle Municipality for exciting netball and street soccer matches. The Mangweni Centre followed on 15 June, with beneficiaries competing in street soccer and netball. On the same day, the Qwaqwa Centre hosted a tournament that brought together more than 95 children, including two soccer teams and two netball teams. The event also formed part of the centre’s 67 Minutes for Mandela Day activities, using sport as a way to strengthen relationships between the centre and the wider community.
On 16 June, the Bushbuckridge and Mpumaze centres celebrated Youth Day through sport. Bushbuckridge beneficiaries took part in street soccer and netball, with performances adding to the celebrations. At Mpumaze, 160 people attended the tournament, where beneficiaries participated in netball, street soccer and MiniChess. While the Children of the Dawn teams did not win their matches, the event highlighted the importance of participation, teamwork and good sportsmanship. The Ermelo Centre held its tournament on 25 June, with beneficiaries participating in rope skipping, Frontball, street soccer and netball. The Lenyenye Centre also hosted its tournament on the same day, featuring netball and street soccer. More than 47 medals were awarded to winners, recognising the dedication and achievements of the young participants.
The tournament season came to an exciting conclusion at the Matatiele Centre on 25 July. Beneficiaries competed in rope skipping, soccer and netball, with the Children of the Dawn teams delivering an outstanding performance by winning all their games. While winning was certainly something to celebrate, the tournaments were about much more than scores and medals. They provided children and young people with safe and positive spaces to be active, make friends, develop confidence and learn valuable lessons about discipline, teamwork and perseverance.
By bringing beneficiaries together with community members and other organisations, the tournaments also helped strengthen the connection between Children of the Dawn and the communities it serves. Across all eight centres, sport became a powerful tool for bringing people together, celebrating important community occasions and creating opportunities for young people to discover their potential. Through Sports for Good, Children of the Dawn continues to use sport as a platform to promote healthy lifestyles, build confidence and empower young people to thrive.