Commonwealth and International Award Association reaffirm partnership

One is a thirteen year-old orphan who, until recently, had never set foot in a school. Another was a petty thief. With their teammates they make up the Tiger Titans, an award-winning cricket team set up by Ross McCreath, who is working towards the International Award for Young People.

Ross built the team so he could share his passion for the sport with underprivileged boys who live in Nolokhanyo township, situated next to the farm he lives on.

This township - in the Eastern Cape of South Africa - has a 75 per cent rate of unemployment, low education standards and crime high rates. Most of the boys in the cricket team come from single parent families, or head the families themselves as both of their parents have died.

“The opportunity to be part of the Tiger Titans has led to remarkable and rewarding changes in many of our teammates lives,” said Ross.

Of all the boys who have joined the team, it is Stohle, the former petty thief, who has demonstrated the most remarkable turnaround as far as Ross is concerned.

“Being part of our team has given him a focus for his energy,” he explained. “Stohle saw no future for himself or reason to study, but now he has a positive attitude and is proud of himself and his achievements.”

The International Award is available to young people aged 14 to 25 in over 130 countries, 40 of which are Commonwealth member states. There are currently more than 850,000 active participants working towards the Bronze, Silver or Gold Levels. The Award encourages community responsibility through projects such as conservation work; the development of personal interests and skills such as arts and crafts; the spirit of adventure; and improved physical performance, perseverance and a healthy lifestyle.

Earlier this week, Ross spoke at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s headquarters, where Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, and Cristal de Saldanha, Head of Programme at the International Award Association (IAA), signed a Memorandum of Understanding, affirming a shared commitment to youth development and empowerment. The signing took place in the presence of His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex, trustee of the IAA.

Both organisations are already working together on a number of projects around the world. These include an initiative based at the Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre, in Gulu District, where former child soldiers and young people affected by the civil war in the region are being supported to repair the trauma of their lost childhood through training in vocational life skills.

For more information on the partnership between the IAA and the Commonwealth Youth Programme, and for details on who to contact if you would like more information, please click here.

Secretariat Links:

• Youth

Related Websites:

• International Award